Nanocurcumin supplementation modulates inflammatory markers: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials

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INTRODUCTION: Curcumin has considerable pharmacological potential, but its clinical application is limited by its low water solubility and metabolic instability. Nanoparticle formulations have emerged as a strategy to address these limitations, potentially improving the compound's bioavailability and enhancing its biological effects. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review evaluated the impact of nanocurcumin supplementation on systemic inflammatory markers across different clinical settings. METHODS: We analyzed 32 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels following nanocurcumin supplementation. RESULTS: Nanocurcumin doses ranged from 40 to 1000 mg/day (most frequently 80 mg/day), with intervention durations ranging from 4 days to 6 months. Supplementation reduced key pro-inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α). The magnitude and consistency of the observed changes varied according to clinical context: healthy individuals generally showed no significant changes, whereas studies involving cancer, endometriosis, NAFLD, autoimmune diseases, sepsis, COVID-19, and chronic kidney disease reported reductions more frequently. CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings suggest that nanocurcumin may modulate circulating and gene expression of inflammatory markers, depending on clinical condition. At present, marked heterogeneity in nanoformulations, dosages, intervention durations, and participants' health conditions means further high-quality clinical trials are needed to better characterize the effects and clinical relevance of high-bioavailable curcumin supplementation on inflammation status.