Curcumin, derived from turmeric root, exhibits notable anti-inflammatory effects. These anti-inflammatory properties might also provide advantages in reducing cardiovascular complications, such as atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin in reducing the risk of atherogenesis in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. The study employed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial design with 227 participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The parameters used to assess atherogenic risk reduction included pulse wave velocity and metabolic profiles, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Measurements were recorded at baseline and at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month intervals. After 12 months, participants receiving curcumin exhibited a significant reduction in pulse wave velocity (p < 0.001). This group showed significantly reduced levels of cardiometabolic risk biomarkers, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, all with p values less than 0.001. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were also significantly lower in the curcumin group, with p values less than 0.001. The curcumin intervention significantly reduced pulse wave velocity and improved cardiometabolic risk profiles. These findings suggest that curcumin treatment may effectively reduce atherogenic risks in type 2 diabetes patients with obesity.

Background: Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol derived from turmeric, has demonstrated potential therapeutic effects in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, hepatic fat accumulation, and fibrosis. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of curcumin in reducing hepatic steatosis and liver stiffness in patients with MASLD. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 78 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and MASLD were randomly assigned to receive either curcumin (1500 mg/day) or placebo for 12 months. The primary outcome was the change in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels. Secondary outcomes included changes in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase), the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde, non-esterified fatty acids, and hepatic parameters (hepatic steatosis and liver stiffness). Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Results: All participants completed the study (curcumin group: n = 39; placebo group: n = 39). Curcumin significantly reduced TNF levels at all follow-up points compared to placebo (p < 0.001). IL-1β, IL-6, and malondialdehyde levels also declined significantly (p < 0.001), while antioxidant enzyme activities, including glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, increased significantly (p < 0.001), indicating improved oxidative balance. Furthermore, curcumin led to significant reductions in non-esterified fatty acids, total body fat, BMI, hepatic steatosis, and liver stiffness compared to placebo. Conclusions: Twelve months of curcumin supplementation improved glycemic control, reduced systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, and significantly improved hepatic steatosis and liver stiffness in patients with MASLD. These findings support curcumin as a promising adjunctive therapy for MASLD management.

Type 2 diabetes and depression co-occur in a bidirectional manner. Curcumin supplements exhibit antidepressant effects that may mitigate depression by modulating neurotransmitters and reducing inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin in improving depression severity in obese type 2 diabetes patients. The study employed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial design with 227 participants. The primary end-point was depression severity assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Biomarkers were measured at baseline and at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month intervals. The biomarkers assessed were serotonin levels, pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha), antioxidant activities (total antioxidant status, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase), and malondialdehyde. After 12 months, the curcumin group exhibited significantly improved depression severity (p = 0.000001). The curcumin group had higher levels of serotonin (p < 0.0001) but lower levels of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (p < 0.001 for all) than the placebo group. Total antioxidant status, glutathione peroxidase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity were elevated in the curcumin group, whereas malondialdehyde levels were greater in the placebo group (p < 0.001 for all). These findings suggest curcumin may have antidepressant effects on obese type 2 diabetes patients.

Liver steatosis, the hallmark component of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is particularly common among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Shared mechanisms such as insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation contribute to the coexistence of these conditions and accelerate disease progression, emphasizing the need for effective therapeutic strategies. In this 12-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 227 obese individuals with T2DM were assigned to receive either 1500 mg of curcumin daily or placebo. Curcumin significantly reduced liver fat content, liver stiffness, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) compared with placebo (all p < 0.001). Improvements were also noted in inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (all p < 0.001), reflecting curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects. Antioxidant benefits were evident, as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased, while malondialdehyde levels decreased (all p < 0.001). Systematic safety assessments, including liver and kidney function tests, revealed no clinically significant abnormalities. Mild gastrointestinal discomfort was the most common non-serious adverse event. Overall, these findings support curcumin as a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for improving liver steatosis in obese patients with T2DM.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, and curcumin—a polyphenolic compound derived from Curcuma longa—has shown potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of 1500 mg/day curcumin supplementation for 12 months in 114 adults with T2DM, with assessments including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), antioxidant markers (SOD, GPx, TAS), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Curcumin supplementation was associated with significant reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.001), hs-CRP and NLR (p < 0.05), and with improved antioxidant status as shown by increased TAS, SOD, and GPx together with reduced MDA levels (p < 0.001). Additionally, improvements in metabolic parameters were observed, including lower FPG (112.0 mg/dL vs. 134.5 mg/dL; p < 0.001), HbA1c (6.10% vs. 6.40%; p < 0.05), and HOMA-IR (4.88 vs. 6.71; p < 0.001). Overall, the findings suggest that long-term curcumin supplementation may contribute to improved inflammatory, antioxidant, and glycemic profiles in obese individuals with T2DM; however, further multi-center studies are needed to confirm these observations and clarify their clinical relevance.

Background: Curcumin, which is derived from turmeric root and is widely utilized in Asian cuisines, exhibits notable anti-inflammatory effects. Its consumption has proven beneficial in alleviating inflammation-related disorders such as ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and esophagitis. These anti-inflammatory properties might also provide advantages in reducing cardiovascular complications, such as atherosclerosis, which is particularly prevalent among diabetic individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin in decreasing the risk of atherogenesis in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The study employed a rigorous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial design with 265 participants who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either curcumin capsules or a placebo over 12 months. The key metrics used to assess atherogenic risk reduction included pulse wave velocity and various metabolic profiles. These profiles included low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein ratio, uric acid, waist circumference, total body fat, and visceral fat. Measurements were recorded at baseline and at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month intervals throughout the treatment phase. Results: After 12 months, participants receiving curcumin exhibited a significant reduction in pulse wave velocity (P < 0.001). Furthermore, this group also showed significantly reduced levels of various cardiometabolic risk biomarkers. These included low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein ratio, uric acid, waist circumference, and total body fat, all with P values less than 0.001. Additionally, visceral fat levels were reduced, with a P value of 0.01. Markers of inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were also significantly lower in the curcumin group than in the placebo group, with P values less than 0.001. Conclusions: The 12-month administration of curcumin to patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity significantly reduced pulse wave velocity and improved cardiometabolic risk profiles. It also demonstrated substantial anti-inflammatory effects with minimal adverse outcomes. These findings suggest that curcumin treatment may effectively reduce atherogenic risks in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry: TCTR20140303003 Clinical Perspective: What Is New?: Individual patient data from randomized trials of curcumin extract versus placebo, spanning a 12-month period and including a rather large sample size (n=227), are analyzed collectively. Curcumin extract use resulted in a significant reduction in pulse wave velocity and showed a significant improvement in cardiometabolic risk profiles. What Are the Clinical Implications?: The efficacy and safety data from randomized clinical trials supports the use of curcumin extract over placebo for mitigating inflammation and improving cardiometabolic risk factors. Curcumin supplementation shows promise in protecting against atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases in patients with T2DM and obesity.