Clinical Efficacy of Curcumin and Vitamin E on Inflammatory-Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Primary Symptoms of Menopause in Healthy Postmenopausal Women: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Aims of the Study. Reducing estrogen levels due to menopause activates oxidative and inflammatory processes, which causes symptoms of menopause, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. As a suggestion, potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents such as curcumin and vitamin E could be used as an effective alternative treatment due to parsimony, suitable access, and fewer side effects. Therefore, the present study was conducted to find out whether supplementation with curcumin and vitamin E affects inflammatory-oxidative stress biomarkers and primary symptoms of menopause in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods Used to Conduct the Study. The present study is a triple-blind parallel randomized controlled trial. Eighty-four eligible postmenopausal women aged 40 to 60 years old were randomly assigned into three groups using block randomization with an allocation ratio of 1 : 1 : 1. The curcumin group received one capsule containing 500 mg curcumin twice a day, the vitamin E group received one 500 mg capsule of vitamin E twice a day, and the placebo group took two placebo capsules containing 500 mg of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) daily for eight weeks. Demographic and anthropometric characteristics, dietary intake, and early symptoms of menopause were collected at baseline. Serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured at baseline and after the intervention. Intervention safety and satisfaction with the intervention were also evaluated. Results of the Study. Eighty-one participants completed the trial and were finally analyzed. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics and dietary intake of participants (except for vitamin C intake, P = 0.023 ) between the groups at baseline. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) score of total menopause symptoms, depression, anxiety, psychological, vasomotor, and physical domains significantly decreased within all groups ( P < 0.05 ). Between-group analyses indicated that decreasing the mean score of anxiety in the vitamin E group was significantly more than in the placebo group ( P = 0.026 ). The mean (SD) serum levels of MDA and hs-CRP significantly decreased only in the curcumin group ( P = 0.009 and P = 0.025 , respectively). Serum levels of TAC significantly increased in curcumin and vitamin E groups ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.006 , respectively). Conclusions Drawn from the Study and Clinical Implications. Curcumin could improve the oxidative stress (MDA and TAC) and inflammatory (hs-CRP) biomarkers. Vitamin E may also improve the antioxidant status by increasing the TAC levels. The alleviation of anxiety in the vitamin E group was more than in the placebo group. Clinical Trial Registration. The trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (https://irct.ir/IRCT20131009014957N6).

Curcumin mitigates acrylamide‐induced ovarian antioxidant disruption and apoptosis in female Balb/c mice: A comprehensive study on gene and protein expressions

“…Curcumin causes a reduction in serum nitric oxide release in women with primary dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome pain (Farrokhfall et al., 2023 ). It also decreases the total score of primary symptoms of menopause by affecting oxidative Stress Biomarkers (Farshbaf‐Khalili et al., 2022 ).…”

“…Curcumin causes a reduction in serum nitric oxide release in women with primary dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome pain(Farrokhfall et al, 2023). It also decreases the total score of primary symptoms of menopause by affecting oxidative Stress Biomarkers(Farshbaf- Khalili et al, 2022).Bax, Bcl2l1 (Bcl-2), and Caspase 3 are crucial regulators in the apoptotic pathway, playing pivotal roles in determining cell fate.Specifically, Bax and Caspase 3 promote apoptosis, whereas Bcl2l1 counteracts these effects. The delicate balance among these factors serves as a key determinant in cellular survival and programmed cell death(Czabotar & Garcia-Saez, 2023).…”

Menopause Hot Flashes and Molecular Mechanisms Modulated by Food-Derived Nutrients

“…It was also found that in monkeys and rats undergoing ovariectomy, there was an increase in NKB gene expression. This process was reversed after estradiol therapy [ 14 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. GnRH secretion is controlled by the functional neural network of the kisspeptin-neurokinin B-dynorphin (KNDy) arcuate nucleus system.…”

“…In the early years of menopause, curcumin supplementation may improve indicators of oxidative stress such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and biomarker of inflammation high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) [ 31 ]. The exact molecular mechanism has not been determined, but, for example, the protective effects of curcumin in age-related cellular senescence are accomplished by inhibiting oxidative stress through upregulation of SIRT1 and NRF2 and downregulation of the p53/p21 pathway [ 57 ].…”

“…Vitamin E supplementation may also improve antioxidant status in the early years of menopause by increasing TAC levels [31]. The antioxidant effect of vitamin E is described in detail in the article of Miyazawa et al (2019), but the molecular mechanism of this process in vasomotor dysfunctions is unknown [58].…”