The effectiveness of nano-curcumin on patients with COVID-19: A systematic review of clinical trials

Phytother Res. 2023 Apr;37(4):1663-1677. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7778. Epub 2023 Feb 17.

Abstract

The main aim of the current study was to summarize the findings of available clinical studies to assess nano-curcumin's influence on COVID patients. A comprehensive online search was performed in Scopus, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar until March 2022 to identify trials that investigated the effects of nano-curcumin in patients with COVID-19. Eight studies comprising 569 patients were included in this review. Compared with placebo, nano-curcumin had no significant effect on C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). However, gene expression of IL-6 and gene expression as well as secretion of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) significantly decreased following nano-curcumin intervention. Nano-curcumin had beneficial effects on fever, cough, chills, myalgia, and olfactory and taste disturbances. The duration of hospitalization and mortality rate were significantly lower in the nano-curcumin group compared with the control group. Lymphocyte count was significantly increased after curcumin supplementation. Nano-curcumin also had favorable effects on O2 saturation, sputum, chest pain, wheeze, and dyspnea in patients with COVID-19. No major adverse effects were reported in response to nano-curcumin supplementation. In summary, the results of this systematic review of clinical trials suggested that nano-curcumin supplementation has beneficial effects on inflammation, respiratory function, disease manifestations, and complications in patients with COVID-19 viral infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; fever; inflammation; nano-curcumin; viral infection.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis
  • COVID-19*
  • Curcumin* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Interleukin-6

Substances

  • Curcumin
  • Interleukin-6
  • C-Reactive Protein