Bioavailable curcumin (CurcuBoost®) as an adjunct therapy for liver dysfunction: a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background: Chronic liver dysfunction is associated with persistent liver enzyme elevations, hepatocellular injury and impaired quality of life. Curcumin has demonstrated hepatoprotective properties. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of CurcuBoost®, a bioavailable curcumin formulation, as an adjunct to standard of care (SOC) in adults with deranged liver function.

Methods: In this randomized, open-label, parallel-group trial, 50 adults with biochemical evidence of liver dysfunction were randomized (1:1) to CurcuBoost® (500 mg orally) plus SOC or SOC alone for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was change in serum liver enzymes from baseline to Week 12. Secondary endpoints included changes in liver disease quality of life (LDQOL) scores and safety outcomes. Analyses used a modified intention-to-treat approach with ANCOVA.

Results: All 50 participants completed the study. Compared with SOC alone (n=25), CurcuBoost® plus SOC (n=25) produced greater reductions in alanine aminotransferase (−109.72 vs −93.39 IU/l; p=0.0012), aspartate aminotransferase (−107.07 vs −86.81 IU/l; p=0.0001), alkaline phosphatase (−354.42 vs −311.75 IU/l; p<0.0001) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (−44.46 vs −38.78 IU/l; p=0.0364) at Week 12. Total bilirubin also decreased significantly more with CurcuBoost® (p=0.0008), while renal function remained stable. LDQOL scores improved in both groups, with greater improvement in the CurcuBoost® plus SOC group (p<0.0001). No serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: Adjunctive treatment with CurcuBoost® significantly improved liver enzyme profiles and liver-related quality of life compared with standard of care alone, with an excellent safety profile.