Curcumin for the clinical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials

IntroductionInflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), presents complex challenges in management due to dysregulated immune responses and genetic predispositions. This study explored the potential of curcumin as an adjunctive therapy in IBD, assess...

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Main Authors: Saeid Mohseni, Ali Tavakoli, Hamid Ghazipoor, Neda Pouralimohamadi, Roghayeh Zare, Thomas Rampp, Maryam Shayesteh, Mehdi Pasalar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1494351/full
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author Saeid Mohseni
Ali Tavakoli
Hamid Ghazipoor
Neda Pouralimohamadi
Roghayeh Zare
Thomas Rampp
Maryam Shayesteh
Mehdi Pasalar
author_facet Saeid Mohseni
Ali Tavakoli
Hamid Ghazipoor
Neda Pouralimohamadi
Roghayeh Zare
Thomas Rampp
Maryam Shayesteh
Mehdi Pasalar
author_sort Saeid Mohseni
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionInflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), presents complex challenges in management due to dysregulated immune responses and genetic predispositions. This study explored the potential of curcumin as an adjunctive therapy in IBD, assessing its efficacy and safety through a systematic review of clinical trials to enhance treatment strategies and outcomes.MethodsTo identify placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials on curcumin treatment in IBD, databases such as Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar were searched till May 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on RCTs comparing curcumin with placebo in IBD patients, with data extraction and analysis conducted using established methodologies and tools for comprehensive synthesis and assessment of study findings.ResultsIn this meta-analysis, 13 placebo-controlled RCTs on curcumin treatment in IBD were included after screening 362 records and conducting a full-text review. Most trials focused on UC patients and were published post-2010, utilizing oral curcumin with varying dosages and durations. The analysis showed curcumin’s significant efficacy in achieving clinical remission and response in UC patients, with heterogeneity observed. Adverse events and withdrawal rates did not significantly differ between curcumin and placebo groups. In CD patients, curcumin did not show superiority over placebo for clinical and endoscopic remission.ConclusionThe findings highlight curcumin’s potential as a treatment for UC but indicate inconclusive results for CD, emphasizing the need for further research. The multifaceted mechanisms of curcumin’s efficacy in IBD involve anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, microbiota modulatory, and immune-regulating properties. Further research is warranted to enhance understanding and treatment efficacy.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024567247.
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spelling doaj-art-dd1dd4d2e8b248ea8f55777171df500f2025-08-20T02:41:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-03-011210.3389/fnut.2025.14943511494351Curcumin for the clinical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trialsSaeid Mohseni0Ali Tavakoli1Hamid Ghazipoor2Neda Pouralimohamadi3Roghayeh Zare4Thomas Rampp5Maryam Shayesteh6Mehdi Pasalar7Department of Persian Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IranResearch Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranDepartment of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranDepartment of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranDepartment of Persian Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Ardakan, Yazd, IranCenter for Integrative Medicine and Planetary Health, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, GermanyDepartment of Traditional Pharmacy and Persian Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranResearch Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranIntroductionInflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), presents complex challenges in management due to dysregulated immune responses and genetic predispositions. This study explored the potential of curcumin as an adjunctive therapy in IBD, assessing its efficacy and safety through a systematic review of clinical trials to enhance treatment strategies and outcomes.MethodsTo identify placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials on curcumin treatment in IBD, databases such as Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar were searched till May 2024. Inclusion criteria focused on RCTs comparing curcumin with placebo in IBD patients, with data extraction and analysis conducted using established methodologies and tools for comprehensive synthesis and assessment of study findings.ResultsIn this meta-analysis, 13 placebo-controlled RCTs on curcumin treatment in IBD were included after screening 362 records and conducting a full-text review. Most trials focused on UC patients and were published post-2010, utilizing oral curcumin with varying dosages and durations. The analysis showed curcumin’s significant efficacy in achieving clinical remission and response in UC patients, with heterogeneity observed. Adverse events and withdrawal rates did not significantly differ between curcumin and placebo groups. In CD patients, curcumin did not show superiority over placebo for clinical and endoscopic remission.ConclusionThe findings highlight curcumin’s potential as a treatment for UC but indicate inconclusive results for CD, emphasizing the need for further research. The multifaceted mechanisms of curcumin’s efficacy in IBD involve anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, microbiota modulatory, and immune-regulating properties. Further research is warranted to enhance understanding and treatment efficacy.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024567247.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1494351/fullcurcumininflammatory bowel diseaseCrohn diseaseulcerative colitisintegrative medicineherbal medicine
spellingShingle Saeid Mohseni
Ali Tavakoli
Hamid Ghazipoor
Neda Pouralimohamadi
Roghayeh Zare
Thomas Rampp
Maryam Shayesteh
Mehdi Pasalar
Curcumin for the clinical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials
Frontiers in Nutrition
curcumin
inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn disease
ulcerative colitis
integrative medicine
herbal medicine
title Curcumin for the clinical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials
title_full Curcumin for the clinical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials
title_fullStr Curcumin for the clinical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials
title_full_unstemmed Curcumin for the clinical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials
title_short Curcumin for the clinical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials
title_sort curcumin for the clinical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases a systematic review and meta analysis of placebo controlled randomized clinical trials
topic curcumin
inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn disease
ulcerative colitis
integrative medicine
herbal medicine
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1494351/full
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