Effects of curcumin and Curcuma longa extract on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Liu AJ, Wu PC, Chen YP, Chu HT, Chang HH
Published in Inflamm Res, Vol. 75 (1), pp. 2
Methodology
Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of RCTs comparing curcumin or Curcuma longa extract with placebo or standard therapy in rheumatoid arthritis or SLE (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL to May 2025). Primary outcomes: DAS-28, ESR and CRP.
Key Findings
Seven RCTs with 314 patients. No significant effect on DAS-28 (SMD -2.34, 95% CI -5.13 to 0.44), ESR (SMD -1.49, 95% CI -3.71 to 0.72) or CRP (SMD -1.65, 95% CI -3.88 to 0.58), with very high heterogeneity (I2 above 90%).
Conclusions
Curcumin and Curcuma longa extract have limited and inconsistent effects on inflammatory markers in RA and SLE.
Limitations
Mixes two diseases; few SLE trials; heterogeneity above 90% for every outcome.
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