Curcumin downregulates human tumor necrosis factor-α levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis ofrandomized controlled trials.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 27025786 · doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2016.03.026
What was done
Authors searched PubMed-Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar through September 21, 2015, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of curcumin on circulating TNF-α concentration. Quantitative synthesis was conducted using a random-effects model reporting weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Meta-regression and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses evaluated dose and duration modifiers.
What was found
Eight RCTs with nine treatment arms were included. Curcumin supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in circulating TNF-α concentrations (WMD: -4.69 pg/mL, 95% CI: -7.10 to -2.28, p < 0.001), which remained robust in sensitivity analysis. Meta-regression found no significant relationship between TNF-α reduction and treatment duration or dose (slope: 0.197, 95% CI: -1.73 to 2.12, p = 0.841).
Why it matters
This meta-analysis pools clinical trial evidence confirming that curcumin lowers circulating TNF-α, supporting its biological activity as an anti-inflammatory agent in humans.
Limits
The analysis included only 8 trials, and total participant count, patient populations, baseline disease conditions, and specific curcumin formulations are not reported in the abstract. Meta-regression did not identify a clear dose-response or duration-response relationship.
Cited by
- supports Curcumin lowers circulating TNF-alpha levels by almost 5 picograms per milliliter.