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Effect of Curcumin on Glycaemic and Lipid Parameters in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

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Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous condition that affects women of reproductive age. It is associated with menstrual disturbances, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. In addition to this, it results in altered anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance, and subsequently untoward cardio-metabolic sequelae. Therapeutic approaches that target weight loss and improve insulin sensitivity are used to address the metabolic complications in PCOS. Curcumin is a phytochemical which exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, and therefore, its use in PCOS has been a subject of substantial interest and research. The aim of this study was to synthesize the existing evidence on the effects of curcumin on glycaemic and lipid parameters in PCOS. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials databases from inception to June 07, 2021. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) presenting sufficient data on glycemic and lipid parameters in patients with PCOS at baseline and the end of the follow-up period in each group were included. Meta-analysis of five RCTs showed a significant reduction on fasting glucose (WMD: − 3.68 mg/dL, 95% CI: − 5.11, − 2.25, p < 0.00001, I2 = 18%), insulin levels (WMD: − 1.72 µUI/mL, 95% CI: − 2.53, -0.92, p < 0001, I2 = 41%), and HOMA-IR index (WMD: − 0.94, 95% CI: − 1.73, − 0.16, p = 0.02, I2 = 90%) after curcumin therapy. None of the lipid indices were significantly altered by curcumin. Curcumin administration in PCOS resulted in significant improvement in glycaemic parameters; however, no significant changes were seen in lipid parameters with its use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomedical Research Unit, Mexican Social Security Institute, Durango, Mexico

    Luis E. Simental-Mendía

  2. Department of Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, HU3 2JZ, UK

    Najeeb Shah & Thozhukat Sathyapalan

  3. Sabinsa Corporation, East Windsor, NJ, USA

    Muhammed Majeed

  4. Laboratory of Angiopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 125315, Moscow, Russia

    Alexander N. Orekhov

  5. Institute of Human Morphology, 3 Tsyurupa Street, 117418, Moscow, Russia

    Alexander N. Orekhov

  6. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Tannaz Jamialahmadi

  7. Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Amirhossein Sahebkar

  8. Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Amirhossein Sahebkar

  9. School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

    Amirhossein Sahebkar

  10. School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Amirhossein Sahebkar

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  1. Luis E. Simental-Mendía
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Correspondence to Amirhossein Sahebkar.

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Muhammed Majeed is the founder of Sabinsa Corporation and Sami Labs Ltd. Other authors have no conflicting interests to disclose.

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Simental-Mendía, L.E., Shah, N., Sathyapalan, T. et al. Effect of Curcumin on Glycaemic and Lipid Parameters in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Reprod. Sci. 29, 3124–3133 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-021-00761-6

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