The effectiveness of nano‐curcumin on patients with COVID‐19: A systematic review of clinical trials

Abstract

AbstractThe main aim of the current study was to summarize the findings of available clinical studies to assess nano‐curcumin's influence on COVID patients. A comprehensive online search was performed in Scopus, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar until March 2022 to identify trials that investigated the effects of nano‐curcumin in patients with COVID‐19. Eight studies comprising 569 patients were included in this review. Compared with placebo, nano‐curcumin had no significant effect on C‐reactive protein (CRP) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). However, gene expression of IL‐6 and gene expression as well as secretion of interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) significantly decreased following nano‐curcumin intervention. Nano‐curcumin had beneficial effects on fever, cough, chills, myalgia, and olfactory and taste disturbances. The duration of hospitalization and mortality rate were significantly lower in the nano‐curcumin group compared with the control group. Lymphocyte count was significantly increased after curcumin supplementation. Nano‐curcumin also had favorable effects on O2 saturation, sputum, chest pain, wheeze, and dyspnea in patients with COVID‐19. No major adverse effects were reported in response to nano‐curcumin supplementation. In summary, the results of this systematic review of clinical trials suggested that nano‐curcumin supplementation has beneficial effects on inflammation, respiratory function, disease manifestations, and complications in patients with COVID‐19 viral infection.