Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly have cardiometabolic risk factors. Oxidative stress (OS) significantly contributes to the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Curcumin (CUR) exhibits antioxidant properties that aid in OS regulation. This systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluated the effects of CUR supplementation on cardiometabolic risk factors in women with PCOS. METHODS: A systematic search across various databases was implemented to identify eligible RCTs published until January 2024. A meta-analysis was conducted employing a random-effects model. RESULTS: Eight RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. It was indicated that CUR supplementation substantially reduced fasting blood sugar (FBS) (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.40 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.59, -0.21; p < 0.001), insulin (SMD: -0.32 µU/mL, 95% CI: -0.49, -0.14; p < 0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (SMD: -0.36, 95% CI: -0.54, -0.19; p < 0.001), and total cholesterol (TC) (SMD: -0.34 mg/dL, 95% CI: -0.61, -0.08; p = 0.01). In addition, it substantially increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (SMD: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.61; p < 0.001) in the CUR-treated group compared with the control group. However, CUR did not have significant impacts on body mass index (BMI), body weight, serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), triglycerides (TG), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), testosterone, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and luteinizing hormone (LH). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that CUR may have the potential to enhance cardiometabolic health by reducing hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and serum TC levels in women with PCOS.