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An investigation of the effects of curcumin on anxiety and depression in obese individuals: A randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, on the frequency of symptoms of anxiety and depression in obese individuals.

Methods

In this double blind, cross-over trial, 30 obese subjects were randomized to receive either curcumin (1 g/day) or placebo for a period of 30 days. Following a wash-out interval of 2 weeks, each subject was crossed over to the alternative regimen for a further 30 days. Severity of anxiety and depression was assessed at baseline and at weeks 4, 6 and 10 of the trial using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scales, respectively.

Results

Mean BAI score was found to be significantly reduced following curcumin therapy (P=0.03). However, curcumin supplementation did not exert any significant impact on BDI scores (P=0.7).

Conclusion

Curcumin has a potential anti-anxiety effect in individuals with obesity.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Research Health Center, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Habibollah Esmaily

  2. Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Amirhossein Sahebkar

  3. Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Amirhossein Sahebkar & Mehrdad Iranshahi

  4. Department of Modern Sciences and Technologies, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Shiva Ganjali

  5. Cardiovascular Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Akram Mohammadi

  6. Division of Medical Education, University of Brighton, Rm 342, Mayfield House, BN1 9PH, London, UK

    Gordon Ferns

  7. Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan

Authors
  1. Habibollah Esmaily
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  2. Amirhossein Sahebkar
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  3. Mehrdad Iranshahi
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  4. Shiva Ganjali
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  5. Akram Mohammadi
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  6. Gordon Ferns
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  7. Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan.

Additional information

Support by the Research Council at the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

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Esmaily, H., Sahebkar, A., Iranshahi, M. et al. An investigation of the effects of curcumin on anxiety and depression in obese individuals: A randomized controlled trial. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 21, 332–338 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2160-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2160-z

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