Curcumin Supplementation and Inflammatory Biomarkers A Systematic Review

Abstract

Chronic inflammation is a key contributor to the development and progression of numerous non-communicable diseases, creating increasing interest in safe and effective nutritional interventions. This systematic review aimed to synthesize contemporary evidence regarding the effects of curcumin supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers in human clinical studies. A systematic literature search was conducted in major scientific databases, and eligible randomized controlled trials were selected according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The extracted evidence was synthesized narratively with emphasis on major inflammatory biomarkers, intervention characteristics, and methodological quality. The available evidence indicates that curcumin supplementation is associated with favorable modulation of inflammatory biomarkers, particularly C-reactive protein, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, although the magnitude of these effects varies according to disease characteristics, dosage, treatment duration, and formulation. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge supporting curcumin as a complementary nutritional intervention for chronic inflammatory conditions and provide practical considerations for clinicians, nutrition researchers, and healthcare professionals. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials employing standardized intervention protocols are required to strengthen the evidence base and guide future clinical recommendations.