In hospitalized COVID-19 people, administration of curcumin supplementation decreased mortality, duration of hospitalization, and resulted in prompt resolution of common symptoms.

This systematic review of clinical trials was conducted to examine the efficacy of curcumin therapy on clinical endpoints and inflammation-associated biomarker profiles in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals.

The electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, ProQuest, and Ovid were searched to find relevant articles that explored the effects of compounds related to curcumin in people infected with mild to severe coronavirus infection. The study incorporated six articles. Across all the six studies, the resolution time for COVID-19 related symptoms was compared between the curcumin treatment group and placebo control group.

Curcumin intervention led to a considerable decrease in mRNA expression and secretion of some pro-inflammatory cytokines implicated in the cytokine storm effect. It increased lymphocyte counts, and minimized hospital stay duration, death, and the persistence of common COVID-19 symptoms (cough, chills, myalgia, tachypnea, anosmia).

A substantial decrease in proinflammatory cytokines (Interleukin [IL]1β and IL6) with a substantial rise in anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-35 and transforming growth factor alpha) was noticed. Curcumin (as an adjunct therapy) exhibits its beneficial effects by partially restoring the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways.

To sum up, curcumin supplementation may be a safe and effective option to improve the outcomes of COVID-19 disease.