Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by an excessive buildup of triglycerides in hepatocytes, currently lacks an approved pharmacological treatment. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of a curcumin-piperine supplement, leveraging curcumin's established antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-steatotic, and anti-fibrotic properties, with piperine enhancing its bioavailability. The objective was to assess its impact on cardiometabolic markers, liver function, and the progression of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.Materials and Methods: Sixty NAFLD patients were enrolled in a randomized, ۱۲-week, placebo-controlled study. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group receiving a daily oral supplement of ۵۰۰ mg curcumin and ۵ mg piperine, or a control group receiving a placebo. Measurements of anthropometrics, biochemical indices, and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis via FibroScan were taken at baseline and study end.Results: Anthropometric indices, and hepatic fibrosis decreased significantly within groups but not between groups for curcumin-piperine supplementation compared to placebo (p<۰.۰۵). There were no significant differences between curcumin-piperine supplementation and placebo in total cholesterol, LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol), HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol), ALT (alanine transaminase), AST (aspartate transaminase), FBS (fasting blood sugar) and hepatic steatosis after ۱۲ weeks.Conclusions: Curcumin-piperine supplementation showed no significant impact on hepatic or biochemical markers linked to NAFLD when compared to placebo, suggesting it may not be a beneficial adjunct therapy.Methods: Sixty patients diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were enrolled in a randomized, ۱۲-week, placebo-controlled study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a treatment group receiving a daily oral supplement of ۵۰۰ mg curcumin and ۵ mg piperine, or a control group receiving a ۵۰۵ mg microcrystalline cellulose placebo. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical indices, and assessments of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis via FibroScan were conducted at both baseline and at the conclusion of the ۱۲-week intervention period.Results: Anthropometric indices (weight, BMI, waist circumference), and hepatic fibrosis decreased significantly within groups but not between groups for curcumin-piperine supplementation compared to placebo (p<۰.۰۵).There were no significant differences between curcumin-piperine supplementation and placebo on total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-C, high density lipoprotein-C, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, fasting glucose and hepatic steatosis after ۱۲ weeks. Conclusions: Compared to placebo, curcumin-piperine supplementation did not affect any of the hepatic or biochemical markers associated with NAFLD and would not appear to be an effective adjunct therapy.
