Optimal dose window, formulation efficacy, and molecular mechanisms of curcumin in MASLD animal models: A systematic review and three-level meta-analysis.
J EthnopharmacolJul 18, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchGastroenterology
Chunpeng Zhang, Gaoyang Fu, Yaonan Zhang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of curcumin in animal models of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). It identified an optimal dose range of 50-150 mg/kg for serum ALT reduction, with efficacy declining at doses above 400 mg/kg. The analysis included 72 studies and utilized robust variance estimation for data handling.
Key findings
- Optimal curcumin dose for ALT reduction is 50-150 mg/kg; efficacy declines at >400 mg/kg.
- Curcumin derivatives and novel delivery systems showed significantly greater efficacy than native curcumin (P < 0.05).
- Curcumin downregulated SREBP-1c (g = -8.00) and TNF-α (g = -4.36), and upregulated Nrf2 (g = 8.95).
Why it matters
Understanding the optimal dosing and formulation of curcumin can guide future clinical trials and therapeutic strategies for MASLD, a condition affecting a significant portion of the adult population without approved pharmacotherapy.