The Therapeutic Effect of Curcumin on Episiotomy Wound Healing: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Pain and infection following episiotomy are common clinical challenges that impair maternal recovery. Curcumin is a plausible therapeutic agent due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, but its clinical efficacy for episiotomy healing remains unproven. We aimed to systematically evaluate the effect of topical curcumin on episiotomy wound healing. Methods: Articles indexed in Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest, SID, and Magiran databases were investigated until March ۱۱, ۲۰۲۵, based on MeSH and Emtree keywords. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB ۱ and ROBINS-I tools. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to calculate the mean difference (MD) with ۹۵% CIs. Heterogeneity was quantified using the I² statistic, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE framework. Results: Our search retrieved ۲۴۸۶ articles. After removing duplicates and ineligible cases, four articles were provided in the systematic review. Based on the meta-analysis of three studies, the use of curcumin did not have a statistically significant effect on the healing process of the perineal wound between the curcumin and the control groups (MD= -۱.۰۲; ۹۵% CI: -۲.۳۹ to ۰.۳۵, P value= ۰.۱۴), with substantial and statistically significant heterogeneity across studies (I² = ۸۳%, p=۰.۰۰۳). The available evidence was of very low quality. Conclusion: Based on a very small number of studies, the available evidence is of very low quality and does not show a statistically significant effect of curcumin on episiotomy wound healing. Due to the limited and low-quality evidence, it is impossible to draw firm conclusions. This review highlights a critical evidence gap, and future high-quality RCTs are urgently needed.

کلیدواژه ها:

Episiotomy ، Curcumin ، wound healing