Introduction

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea are common cyclical and recurrent gynecologic complications of women in the reproductive age, and can adversely affect their wellbeing and quality of life. PMS is defined by a complex combination of somatic and psychological bothering symptoms that happens within the luteal phase which lasting from ovulation to the beginning of the menstrual hemorrhage [1].

Dysmenorrhea characterized by spasmodic cramping pain in the lower abdomen, in the absence of pelvic problems, often happens just pre or at the onset of menstrual bleeding and persists for 8–72 h. The pathogenic mechanism behind dysmenorrhea are not been fully understood, but may be because of the increase in the generation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes [2].

No definitive treatment for PMS and dysmenorrhea has been established so far; therapies has been symptomatic, administrating such medications as non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antidepressants, combined oral contraceptives, and herbal medicine [3,4,5]. Complementary and alternative medical therapies are sometimes preferred by women for alleviating of menstrual associated pains. Although, the effectiveness and safety of this type of treatment has not be comprehensively investigated in randomized controlled trials.

The potential role of vitamins and mineral status in the etiology of common features of PMS and dysmenorrhea, and possibly a putative mechanism for the preventing and/or treating of systemic menstrual problems has been reported [1, 2, 6]. There are several reports indicating an inverse relationship between vitamin D (Vit D) status and risk of depressive symptoms [7, 8], fibromyalgia [9], and uterine leiomyomas [10]. Additionally, low levels of Vit D and calcium can promote dysmenorrhea pain by elevating prostaglandin genesis or decreasing intestinal calcium absorption [11]. Moreover, a high Vit D intake may mitigate the risk of PMS, by effects on sex steroid hormone and neurotransmitter activities [12].

Curcumin (CUR) is a bioactive polyphenolic ingredient derived from the spice turmeric, acquired from the root of the Curcuma longa plant, a member of the Zingiberaceae family. CUR has a wide range of reported protective pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-neoplasm, neuro- and cardio-protective, immunomodulatory, analgesic, lipid-lowering and antidepressant effects [13,14,15,16,17]. CUR can interact with multiple molecular targets and modulate their activity including enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, transcription factors, growth factors, hormones, receptors, adipokines and various signaling cascades [16, 17]. One main advantage of CUR is related to safe and well-tolerable features in human. There are few studies indicated the potential therapeutic effect of CUR among PMS and dysmenorrhea women [18,19,20,21].

Correlation between dietary Vit D intake and the major circulating Vit D form, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D3], are relatively low [22] indicating that many factors modulate Vit D metabolism and absorption [23]. Results from a limited number of in vitro studies indicated that CUR potentially can directly or indirectly interact with vitamin D receptors (VDR) and its molecular targets [24,25,26].

Previously, we have shown the potential benefits on Vit D supplementation in the management of PMS and dysmenorrhea [2]. There are no clinical trials that have assessed the effects of CUR intervention on serum Vit D levels. Regarding to the high prevalence of menstrual problems, this randomized clinical trial performed in an attempt to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CUR on Vit D in women suffered from both PMS and dysmenorrhea.

Methods

Study design

This study was a 3-month, triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. A statistician provided a randomized list by using NCSS (statistical software) in a ratio of 1:1 using simple block randomization approach based on CONSORT guidelines. It was done concerning to standard guidelines, and was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial (IRCT20191112045424N1 on 23/01/2021; available at: https://www.irct.ir). The protocol was approved by the by the Ethics Committee of BUMS (Code: IR.BUMS.REC.1398.160) and written informed consent was obtained by all participants. Patients were recruited from dormitories of 4 different universities in Birjand, South-Eastern of Iran, from January 2020 to March 2020.

Sample size was calculated according to α = 0.05, β = 0.2 and 95% confidence interval using the following formula and it was estimated that at least 25 patients were needed for each arm, and the final sample size assuming 15% drop-out rate was set as 30 patients in each group.

$$n=\frac{{\left({z}_{1-\frac{\alpha }{2}}+{z}_{1-\beta}\right)}^2\left({S}_1^2+{S}_2^2\right)}{{\left(\overline{x_1}-{\overline{x}}_2\right)}^2}$$

The eligible volunteers were single females aged 18 and 24 years and had a history of moderate to severe PMS and dysmenorrhea. Individuals were excluded if they experience any of the following situations: (a) any abnormal evidence on physical assessment, pelvic examination, as well as history of any acute or chronic illness, or drug and supplement use; (b) visual analog scale (VAS) score<8; (c) Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool (PSST) score <20; (d) getting married during trial; (e) irregular menstrual cycle; (f) allergy to herbal medicine; and (g) experiencing any stressful events during the intervention.

Intervention

Participants were randomly allocated to the CUR group (n = 38) or placebo group (n = 38). Each CUR capsule contained 500 mg curcuminoids (C3 Complex, Sami Labs Ltd., Bangalore, India) plus piperine (5 mg Bioperine®, Sami Labs Ltd). Piperine as bioactive alkaloid was used to increase the oral bioavailability and intestinal absorption of CUR [27]. The placebo capsule was comparable in size, shape, color and texture did not contain curcuminoids, but containing 500 mg lactose powder in combination of piperine (5 mg Bioperine®, Sami Labs Ltd). CUR and placebo capsules were labeled as “code A” or “code B”. The Pharmacy Department of the Birjand University of Medical Science performed the randomization and blinding. Next, the eligible volunteers were randomly assigned to one of the two arms “code A or B”. Coding keys were forwarded to the principal study investigator through mail by the end of follow-up and final analysis. Participants were instructed to consume one capsule daily, for 10 days (7 days pre until 3 days after the estimated onset of menstruation) for 3 menstrual cycles. To promote adherence, we remember capsule consuming time to each subject by telephone and short message.

Diagnosis of PMS and dysmenorrhea

A validated questionnaire was used to assess the degree of dysmenorrhea pain [28]. The VAS is a subjective evaluation of the pain on a point of 0 (no painful symptoms) to 10 (most severe pain possible), measurable in millimeters on a linear scale. Dysmenorrhea pain was classified on VAS as none (point: 0), mild (point: 1–3), moderate (point: 4–7), or worst imaginable pain (point: 8–10) [29].

Symptom severity of PMS was investigated with the use of the PSST questionnaire. The PSST is a 19 items related to different premenstrual symptoms which rated from 0 to 3, where score 0 refers “none”, and 3 shows the “severe”. Volunteer were instructed to choose a single number option from the scale for each item and total score obtained ranging from 0 to 57. A Persian language version of the PSST questionnaire has been previously indicated to be a reliable and valid method for the evaluating presence and intensity of PMS [30].

The subjects who obtained scores ≥8 (form VAS) and ≥ 20 (from PSST) were considered as having both PMS and dysmenorrhea and eligible to take part in the present study.

Vitamin D measurement

Ten mLs of blood was collected into plain tubes, after overnight fasting 3 days prior to the start of intervention and within 3 days subsequent to the taking last capsule. Serum samples were separated and stored − 70 °C in a reference laboratory until laboratory analysis.

Serum Vit D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA kit, Diazist, Tehran, Iran) based on the manufacturer’s protocol. Vit D status was categorized based on serum concentrations of 25(OH) D as follows: Vit D deficiency (< 20 ng/ml), and insufficiency (20–30 ng/ml) and sufficiency (> 30 ng/ml) [31].

Anthropometric indices and blood pressure

Height, weight, waist and circumference, and systolic and diastolic pressure were measured by trained study nurses at in health center using standard protocol, as described previously [32]. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as “weight (kg)/height 2(m).

Dietary intake

The dietary intake of study participant was assessed by a trained dietician using a 3-day recall food method at the first week and last week of the study. Diet plan4 software was recruited for estimating of daily mean of energy and micronutrient intake throughout the trial (Forestfield Software Ltd., UK).

Safety

To monitor safety and evaluation of adverse reactions, serum levels of urea, creatinine, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, calcium, phosphate, magnesium and uric acid were measured. The serum levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), urea, creatinine, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, uric acid, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin were measured by using commercial kits (Pars Azmun, Iran) with auto-analyzer (Prestige 24i, Tokyo Boeki Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) [33].

Blinding

The participants, investigators, laboratory technicians, and statistical analyzer were completely blind to the treatment assignments during the trial until final analysis.

Statistical analysis

The normality of continuous data were evaluated by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Data were expressed as mean ± SD or median and interquartile range (IQR), as appropriate. The variables were compared between the two CUR and placebo groups by using student T test (parametric data) or Mann-Whitney (non-parametric data) or chi-square tests (for qualitative indices). Changes from the before to after-intervention within the groups determined by employing paired T test (normally distributed parameters) or Wilcoxon signed-rank test (non-normally distributed and categorical parameters). Improvement in Vit D status defined as percent of individuals get better from Vit D deficiency to insufficiency/sufficiency or from Vit D insufficiency to sufficiency. Changes in serum Vit D levels considered were the difference between the level of Vit D before and after supplementation. The statistical significance of the any independent effects of interventions on the main parameters was identified through an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) taking the baseline value of each variable as a covariate. All statistical calculations were performed with SPSS software version 18 and p value < 0.05 was recruited to report data.

Result

Of the participants, 73 completed the study with CUR (n = 36) or placebo (n = 37). Three participants were withdrawn throughout follow-up due to rash side effects (n = 2; in CUR group) and unwillingness to continue the trial because of the personal reason (n = 1; in the placebo group). The drop-out rate was not statistically significant between the two groups (Fig. 1; p = 0.07).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Flowchart of trial

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The mean BMI, waist to hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and FBG at baseline and end of the study were not statistically different between the two CUR and placebo groups (P > 0.05; Table 1). Statistical analysis could not detect any significant differences between two CUR and placebo groups concerning to the mean energy, or the dietary intake of carotene, vitamin E, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, selenium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, and thiamin at baseline and end of the study (P > 0.05; Table 2). To monitor possible side effects of CUR consumption, we determined kidney function (urea and creatinine), liver function biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin), calcium, phosphate, magnesium and uric acid. The paired-sample T test showed no significant difference at the end-of-trial in terms of mean urea, creatinine, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and uric acid in the studied groups (P > 0.05; Table 3). Serum levels of AST, and direct bilirubin were reduced by the end of trial in the CUR group (P = 0.040 and P = 0.021, respectively), but did not change in the control group (p > 0.05; Table 3).

Table 1 Comparison of biomarkers of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in treatment groups before and after intervention
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Table 2 Comparison of main micronutrient dietary intake of participants in treatment groups before and after intervention
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Table 3 Comparison of biochemical measures in treatment groups before and after intervention
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CUR significantly increased the median (IQR) serum levels of Vit D [from 12.8 ng/ml)7.0–24.6) to 16.2 ng/ml (6.4–28.8); P = 0.045], compared with placebo [from 18.6 ng/ml (2.2–26.8) to 21.3 ng/ml (5.2–27.1); P = 0.17; Table 4]. Whilst the percentage of individuals showing improvement in Vit D status at the end-of-trial, was significantly higher in the CUR group versus to baseline (p = 0.039), when compared with the placebo group, this was not statistically significant (25% vs. 18%; p = 0.71).

Table 4 Effect of curcumin vs. placebo on the vitamin D status and levels
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Discussion

In this randomized triple-blind placebo controlled study we found that supplementation of curcuminoids plus piperine for three menstrual cycles, significantly improved the vitamin D status in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea.

Although the facts demonstrated that complementary and herbal medicines are overall preferable tolerated compared to chemical medications [34,35,36], in the absence of conclusive evidence about their efficacy and probable side effects on human disorders, made it one of the most critical obstacles faced through physician [37]. There is accumulating evidence demonstrating that CUR exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory [38], antimicrobial [39], and anticarcinogenic [40] characteristics.

It has been suggested that imbalance of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system cascade is implicated in premenstrual fluid retention, with manifestations such as abdominal distension, limbs swelling, and breast discomfort [41, 42]. Vit D inadequacy is also connected with elevated RAAS activity, leading to higher fluid balance, blood pressure alterations, and hypertension [43]. Moreover, an inverse relationship was found between serum 25(OH) D amounts and premenstrual depression [44].

Results of the present trial supported that CUR intervention improves serum Vit D levels. But, Xin et al. reported that, although CUR administration had no considerable effect on serum 1,25-(OH)2D3 concentrations, it induced over-expression of VDR in femurs and osteoblasts, which might implicate in the protective effect of CUR from bone loss created by microgravity [24]. VDR as a nuclear transcription factor can modulate the activity of 1,25-(OH)2D3, so has important effect on calcium absorption, bone regeneration, and mineralization rate [45]. VDR is also expressed in the endometrium, ovarian tissue, fallopian tube epithelial cells and placenta. It also reported that CUR can directly binds and stimulates VDR, thus triggering the VDR target genes such as cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, CYP24 and TRPV6 [26]. Interestingly, there is a remarkable overlap between 1,25-(OH)2D3 and CUR regarding to the molecular targets such as NF-κB and P21 [46,47,48,49]. However, findings of another experimental study did not support CUR act as VDR ligands [50]. Regarding the contribution of Vit D in the etiopathology of PMS and dysmenorrhea, its increment by CUR could represent a plausible mechanism for the beneficial therapeutic effect of CUR in menstrual-associated symptoms. Thus far, no human study has examined the consequence of CUR supplementing on serum Vit D status. This is also the first report on the effect of CUR on Vit D levels in patients with PMS and dysmenorrhea.

Another important result of the present study was effective decrement of serum AST and direct bilirubin following CUR intervention. Liver serum transaminases, ALT and AST, are generally considered as indicators of hepatic function and their elevation in blood associates to liver disease. Meta-analysis of four randomized controlled trials among 228 cases demonstrated a significant trend toward decrement of ALT and AST circulating concentrations in studies with ≥1000 mg daily CUR supplementation and in trials with 8-weeks intervention, respectively [51]. In the present study, CUR treatment was associated with a significant reduction in the serum levels of AST and direct bilirubin, suggesting that CUR may affect liver health even in healthy subjects [52]. Although, a significant reduction in ALT, ALP and total bilirubin levels after CUR supplementation was not detected in our study. Although this study has shown some promising results, individual health status and relatively low sample size in this research restricts the generalization of our findings to other population especially hepatic disorders.

There are different possible mechanisms which speculate beneficial effect of CUR on hepatic function. CUR might prevent hepatic steatosis, liver damage, insulin resistance [53], hepatic inflammation and fatty liver disease [54]. Furthermore, CUR suppresses high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) induction, down-regulation of ICAM-1, cyclooxygenase-2 and MCP-1, decreases gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, CD11b, procollagen type I, and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-1 and induction of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) causing to the amelioration of the development and enhancement of inflammation in liver tissues and fibrosis [55, 56]. Also, antioxidant capacity of CUR is related with triggering several anti-oxidant enzymes activities such as glutathione transferase, catalase and heme-oxygenase-1 [57, 58].

The present results reveal that mean TG, TC, LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations did not show significant differences between the CUR and placebo groups. In agreement with our findings, Baum and co-workers announced CUR treatment did not significantly change serum TC or TG levels among elderly cases in a 6 months double blind, placebo-controlled trial [59], inconsistent to previous studies advocated the hypolipidemic effects of CUR in animals and humans [60, 61]. This controversy results between studies possibly because of various background diseases of the study participants (patients with acute coronary syndrome with LDL more than 150 mg/dl, individuals with cognitive impairment, patients with metabolic syndrome and healthy subjects) [59, 62,63,64,65].

Furthermore, CUR supplementation did not significantly change FBG levels in this triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Along with our results, several reports have been expressed null effect of CUR on glucose homeostasis, which contrary to previous studies supported the glucose-decreasing effects in humans [61, 66, 67]. The dosage of previous trials (ranging from 1500 to 6000 mg/day) was higher compared to the dosage administrated in this trial (500 mg/day), as well as treatment duration and formulation was also various. These discrepancies could be a probable interpretation of our finding. Furthermore, this study was not primarily aimed to assess the anti-diabetic and anti-lipid potency of CUR, and apparent healthy subjects constituted our studied population.

CUR had no significant effect on kidney function test in the present study. Consistently, serum levels of urea and creatinine not differed significantly comparing the pre- and post-turmeric supplementation in two clinical trials among patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy [68] and chronic kidney disease [69].

The CUR has a very low water-solubility bioavailability, though, piperine, the active ingredient of black pepper, has been reported to boost the circulating levels and half-life of CUR in the body by 2000% through free-radical scavenging as well as preventing the lipid peroxidation and glucuronidation of xenobiotics [70].

This was a sub-study of our previous triple-blinded randomized controlled trial on short-term effects CUR supplementation on menstrual-associated symptoms and severity of PMS and dysmenorrhea in young women [71]. This study had some limitations. It is possible that 3 menstrual cycle intervention there is insufficient period to affect the biochemical markers evaluated in this trial. Short duration of follow-up was also inhibits judgment on the long-term effect of CUR supplementation particularly in terms of Vit D and liver function enzyme in young girl. Due to the rather small sample size and short-duration of the intervention, explanation of our findings should be made cautiously. Although, improving the Vit D levels does not necessarily reflect that CUR is effective against Vit D deficiency. So, further studies are needed to show whether CUR can have benefits on Vit D status.

Conclusion

Taken together, our observations suggest that curcumin supplements in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea led to a significant improvement of Vit D, AST and direct bilirubin levels but did not affect blood glucose, uric acid, calcium, phosphorous and lipid profiles biomarkers. Future investigations are encouraged to look at possible dose-response association for the beneficial effect of curcuminoids on Vit D deficiency.