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Effects of curcumin on anthropometric measurements in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: An umbrella meta-analysis study.

  • 2026-05-08
  • Medicine 105(19)
    • Abinash Mahapatro
    • Herby Jeanty
    • Saisree Reddy Adla Jala
    • Kavya Priya Somu
    • Gautam Madineni
    • Elan Mohanty
    • Mohammed Dheyaa Marsool
    • Pourya Shamsi
    • Maryam Shahriari Namin
    • Shahin Abbaszadeh
    • Parsa Saberian
    • Ehsan Amini-Salehi
    • Arezoo Ghazalgoo

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Population
patients with MAFLD
Methods
umbrella review of meta-analyses from randomized controlled trials

Background

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) affects approximately 30% of the global population and is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Anthropometric indices such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and weight are crucial markers for evaluating the progression of MAFLD. Curcumin, a bioactive compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has been investigated for its potential to improve metabolic outcomes. This umbrella review aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of curcumin supplementation on anthropometric indices in patients with MAFLD, considering epidemiological strength and power analysis.

Methods

An umbrella review of meta-analyses from randomized controlled trials was conducted. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched up to September 2024. Meta-analyses assessing curcumin's effects on BMI, weight, and WC in MAFLD patients were included. Quality was assessed using the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews version (AMSTAR-2) tool, and heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 statistic. Statistical analyses were performed using R and Stata 18 software.

Results

Curcumin supplementation had no significant effect on BMI (standardized mean difference 95% confidence interval to 0.21, P = .91) with low power (1-β = 0.03) and a low epidemiological grade according to GRADE criteria. Similarly, curcumin showed no significant effect on WC (SMD: -0.27; 95% CI: -0.57 to 0.04, P = .08) with high power (1-β = 0.96) but low epidemiological strength. However, curcumin significantly reduced weight (SMD: -0.12; 95% CI: -0.19 to -0.04, P < .01) with moderate power (1-β = 0.56) and moderate epidemiological strength. No significant effect of dose or effect of supplementation duration was found.

Conclusion

Curcumin supplementation may result in a statistically detectable but clinically modest reduction in body weight in patients with MAFLD, while showing limited or no efficacy on BMI and waist circumference. The epidemiological strength of the evidence varies across outcomes and is of low to moderate quality. Further well-designed, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the clinical relevance of curcumin's effects on anthropometric indices.

Research Insights

  • Turmeric→Reduced Body Mass Index

    Curcumin supplementation had no significant effect on BMI (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.24 to 0.21, P = .91)

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
  • Turmeric→Reduced Body Weight

    curcumin significantly reduced weight (SMD: -0.12; 95% CI: -0.19 to -0.04, P < .01) with moderate power (1-β = 0.56) and moderate epidemiological strength

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Turmeric→Reduced Waist Circumference

    curcumin showed no significant effect on WC (SMD: -0.27; 95% CI: -0.57 to 0.04, P = .08) with high power (1-β = 0.96) but low epidemiological strength

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
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