Javad Heshmati1, Ashraf Moini2, Mahdi Sepidarkish3, Mojgan Morvaridzadeh4, Masoud Salehi5, Andriko Palmowski6, Maryam Farid Mojtahedi7, Farzad Shidfar8. 1. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Breast Disease Research Center(BDRC), Tehran University Of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Endocrinology and Female Infertility Unit, Arash Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. 3. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. 4. Department of Nutritional Science, School of Nutritional Science and Food Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. 5. Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 6. Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 7. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Endocrinology and Female Infertility Unit, Arash Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: m_fmojtahedi@tums.ac.ir. 8. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: shidfar.f@iums.ac.ir.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Curcumin is a biologically active phytochemical ingredient found in turmeric. It has several pharmacologic effects that might benefit patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized curcumin to be effective in improving blood sugar levels, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in individuals with PCOS. METHODS: In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, individuals with PCOS were treated with curcumin (500 mg three times daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. Primary outcome measures were fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FI), sex hormone levels, and hirsutism (Ferriman-Gallwey [mFG] score). Secondary outcomes included anthropometric measurements. RESULTS:Of 72 randomized individuals, 67 completed the trial. The two groups were comparable at baseline. At the end of the study, FPG and Dehydroepiandrosterone levels had decreased significantly in the intervention group compared to control (difference of change (post-pre) between intervention and placebo groups: -4.11 mg/dL; 95% CI: -8.35, -0.35 mg/dL; p = 0.033 and -26.53 microg/dL; 95% CI: -47.99, -4.34 µg/dL; p = 0.035, respectively). We also observed a statistically non-significant increase (p = 0.082) in Estradiol levels in the intervention group compared to control. No serious adverse events were reported throughout the trial. CONCLUSIONS:Curcumin might be a safe and useful supplement to ameliorate PCOS-associated hyperandrogenemia and hyperglycemia. However, longer trials investigating different dosages in longer durations are needed to underpin these findings.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Curcumin is a biologically active phytochemical ingredient found in turmeric. It has several pharmacologic effects that might benefit patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized curcumin to be effective in improving blood sugar levels, insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in individuals with PCOS. METHODS: In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, individuals with PCOS were treated with curcumin (500 mg three times daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. Primary outcome measures were fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FI), sex hormone levels, and hirsutism (Ferriman-Gallwey [mFG] score). Secondary outcomes included anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Of 72 randomized individuals, 67 completed the trial. The two groups were comparable at baseline. At the end of the study, FPG and Dehydroepiandrosterone levels had decreased significantly in the intervention group compared to control (difference of change (post-pre) between intervention and placebo groups: -4.11 mg/dL; 95% CI: -8.35, -0.35 mg/dL; p = 0.033 and -26.53 microg/dL; 95% CI: -47.99, -4.34 µg/dL; p = 0.035, respectively). We also observed a statistically non-significant increase (p = 0.082) in Estradiol levels in the intervention group compared to control. No serious adverse events were reported throughout the trial. CONCLUSIONS:Curcumin might be a safe and useful supplement to ameliorate PCOS-associated hyperandrogenemia and hyperglycemia. However, longer trials investigating different dosages in longer durations are needed to underpin these findings.