Lipid-modifying activity of curcuminoids: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine and clarify the impact of curcuminoids on serum lipid levels. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of curcuminoids on plasma lipids were searched in PubMed-Medline, Scopus, Web of Science databases (from inception to April 3^rd, 2017). A random-effects model and generic inverse variance method were used for quantitative data synthesis. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the leave-one-out method. A weighted random-effects meta-regression was performed to evaluate the impact of potential confounders on lipid concentrations. Results: A meta-analysis of 20 RCTs with 1427 participants suggested a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of triglycerides (WMD: −21.36 mg/dL, 95% CI: −32.18, −10.53, p < 0.001), and an elevation in plasma HDL-C levels (WMD: 1.42 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.03, 2.81, p = 0.046), while plasma levels of LDL-C (WMD: −5.82 mg/dL, 95% CI: −15.80, 4.16, p = 0.253) and total cholesterol (WMD: −9.57 mg/dL, 95% CI: −20.89, 1.75, p = 0.098) were not altered. The effects of curcuminoids on lipids were not found to be dependent on the duration of supplementation. Conclusion: This meta-analysis has shown that curcuminoid therapy significantly reduces plasma triglycerides and increases HDL-C levels.

KEYWORDS:

• Curcumin
• Turmeric
• Dyslipidemia
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cholesterol
• Triglycerides

Conflict of interests

Dr. Gotto is a consultant for Merck, Kowa, Amgen and a board member of Esperion, Aegerion and Arisaph. Dr. Banach has served on speaker's bureau and as an advisory board member for Amgen, Sanofi-Aventis and Lilly. Dr. Majeed is the Founder & Chairman of Sabinsa Corporation and Sami Labs Limited.

Author contributions

LES and AS contributed to literature search, article screening, data acquisition and abstraction. AS contributed to statistical analysis. LES, AS and MM contributed to interpretation of the results and drafting of the manuscript. MB, MP, AMG and SLA contributed to critical revision of the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript for submission.