Efficacy of curcumin plus piperine co‐supplementation in moderate‐to‐high hepatic steatosis: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Abstract Non‐alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a global health problem that can progress to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of curcumin + piperine on cardiometabolic risk factors, as well as hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in NAFLD patients with moderate‐to‐high hepatic steatosis. Patients diagnosed with moderate‐to‐high NAFLD by liver sonography were randomized to either curcumin + piperine (500 mg/day curcumin plus 5 mg/day piperine) for 12 weeks ( n = 30) or placebo groups ( n = 30). Liver fibroscan, anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, physical activity, blood pressure, lipid profile, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and liver enzymes were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of follow‐up. Intention‐to‐treat analysis was undertaken. Curcumin + piperine decreased waist circumference ( p = 0.026), systolic blood pressure ( p = 0.001), total cholesterol ( p = 0.004), low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol ( p = 0.006), FBG ( p = 0.002), alanine transaminase ( p = 0.007) and aspartate transaminase ( p = 0.012) compared with placebo. However, fibroscan measurement did not differ between curcumin + piperine and placebo groups ( p > 0.05). Fibroscan measurement as a marker of NAFLD improvement did not differ after 12 weeks of curcumin + piperine; however, curcumin + piperine may be considered as an adjunct therapy to improve anthropometric measures, blood pressure, lipid profile, blood glucose, and liver function in NAFLD patients.