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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery

Curcumin and metabolic syndrome: Mechanistic and clinical evidence for modulating diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors

  • Mostafa Vaghari-Tabari1
  • Abdolkarim Mahrooz2
  • Asal Golchin3,4
  • Mehran Molavand3,4
  • Vahid Rahnama3
  • Bahman Yousefi3
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Paramedicine, Amol School of Paramedical Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
  2. 2Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
  3. 3Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
  4. 4Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Abstract

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is characterized by central obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and elevated blood pressure. Obesity contributes to low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic endotoxemia, decreased adiponectin, and increased leptin, which play major roles in insulin resistance. Inflammation and insulin resistance enhance fatty acid release from adipose tissue, increasing hepatic uptake, VLDL production, and hypertriglyceridemia. Elevated VLDL further promotes triglyceride–HDL exchange via CETP, lowering HDL levels. Oxidative stress, increased angiotensin II production in adipose tissue, and upregulated receptor expression are also key factors in hypertension associated with MetS. Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound, has been shown to modulate many of these processes. Experimental evidence suggests that curcumin can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, regulate adipokines, improve lipid metabolism, and support vascular health. Several clinical trials have also reported beneficial effects of curcumin supplementation on the components of MetS. In this review, we first summarize the main mechanisms underlying MetS and then discuss in detail the molecular and physiological effects of curcumin on these pathways. Finally, we provide an overview of clinical findings on curcumin and its potential as a supportive strategy in improving MetS.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{vagharitabari2026curcumin,
  title = {{Curcumin and metabolic syndrome: Mechanistic and clinical evidence for modulating diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors}},
  author = {Mostafa Vaghari-Tabari and Abdolkarim Mahrooz and Asal Golchin and Mehran Molavand and Vahid Rahnama and Bahman Yousefi},
  journal = {Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1016/j.crphar.2026.100262},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crphar.2026.100262},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Curcumin and metabolic syndrome: Mechanistic and clinical evidence for modulating diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors
AU  - Mostafa Vaghari-Tabari
AU  - Abdolkarim Mahrooz
AU  - Asal Golchin
AU  - Mehran Molavand
AU  - Vahid Rahnama
AU  - Bahman Yousefi
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/13
JO  - Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery
DO  - 10.1016/j.crphar.2026.100262
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crphar.2026.100262
AB  - Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is characterized by central obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and elevated blood pressure. Obesity contributes to low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic endotoxemia, decreased adiponectin, and increased leptin, which play major roles in insulin resistance. Inflammation and insulin resistance enhance fatty acid release from adipose tissue, increasing hepatic uptake, VLDL production, and hypertriglyceridemia. Elevated VLDL further promotes triglyceride–HDL exchange via CETP, lowering HDL levels. Oxidative stress, increased angiotensin II production in adipose tissue, and upregulated receptor expression are also key factors in hypertension associated with MetS. Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound, has been shown to modulate many of these processes. Experimental evidence suggests that curcumin can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, regulate adipokines, improve lipid metabolism, and support vascular health. Several clinical trials have also reported beneficial effects of curcumin supplementation on the components of MetS. In this review, we first summarize the main mechanisms underlying MetS and then discuss in detail the molecular and physiological effects of curcumin on these pathways. Finally, we provide an overview of clinical findings on curcumin and its potential as a supportive strategy in improving MetS.
SN  - 2590-2571
ER  -