Clinical Evidence

Effects of Curcuminoids Plus Piperine on Glycemic, Hepatic and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
 Drug Res (Stuttg). 2018; 68 (7) 403-409. DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-101752
Preclinical studies show that curcuminoids act as multitarget agents, which can improve various conditions associated with diabetes. Curcumin acts on the liver and adipose tissue to improve glucose metabolism by increasing glucose utilization and decreasing the de-novo glucose synthesis. Along with improving the glucose homeostasis, it acts to regulate the various pro-inflammatory molecules released in response altered glucose metabolism.
Objective:

To evaluate the impact of curcuminoids plus piperine administration on glycemic, hepatic and inflammatory biomarkers in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients.

Methods:

T2D patients aged 18–65 years were enrolled in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial and randomly allocated to standard-of-care treatment and dietary advice plus either curcuminoids (daily dose of 500 mg/day coadministered with piperine 5 mg/day) or placebo for a period of 3 months. Glycemic, hepatic and inflammatory parameters were measured at baseline and final conditions.

Results:
  • A significant reduction was found in serum levels of glucose, C-peptide, and HbA1c was found in the curcuminoid treated group compared to placebo group
  • Curcuminoid administration also reduced serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels compared with the placebo group
  • No significant differences in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations were observed between curcuminoids and placebo groups
Conclusion

The results of the present trial revealed a beneficial effect of curcuminoids plus piperine supplementation on glycemic and hepatic parameters but not on hs-CRP levels in T2D patients.