The effect of curcumin‐piperine supplementation on lipid profile, glycemic index, inflammation, and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertriglyceridemia

Abstract Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance and ensuing dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and inflammation. Owing to the putative metabolic benefits of curcumin–piperine combination, we explored the efficacy of this combination in improving cardiometabolic indices of patients with T2DM and hypertriglyceridemia. In this double‐blind clinical trial, 72 patients with T2DM and hypertriglyceridemia were randomized to receive either a tablet containing 500 mg of curcuminoids plus 5 mg of piperine, or a matched placebo for 12 weeks. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, glycemic indices, lipid profile, C‐reactive protein (CRP), quality of life, and mood were evaluated at baseline and end of the study. After 12 weeks of intervention, the levels of triglycerides ( p ‐value = 0.001) and fasting blood glucose ( p ‐value = 0.004) were significantly reduced in the curcumin‐piperine compared with the placebo group. CRP levels were marginally reduced in the curcumin–piperine compared with the placebo group ( p ‐value = 0.081). In addition, energy/fatigue significantly increased in the curcumin–piperine group compared to the control group ( p ‐value = 0.024). However, between‐group comparisons showed no significant change in other parameters, including anthropometric indices (waist circumference and body mass index (BMI)), biochemical parameters (low‐density lipoprotein (LDL‐c), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL‐c), and insulin), HOMA‐IR, blood pressure, quality of life, and DASS‐21 items between the studied groups ( p ‐value >0.05). The current study showed that curcumin–piperine supplementation can improve serum CRP, triglycerides, and glucose concentrations in patients with T2DM and hypertriglyceridemia.