Article name: Curcumin as a Major Active Component of Turmeric Attenuates Proteinuria in Patients with Overt Diabetic Nephropathy
This article was published in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences in 2019. It is a randomized, double-blind clinical trial that evaluated the effects of curcumin in the level of proteinuria in diabetic patients with overt proteinuria
The article shows that the group of patients that received the curcumin (500 mg three times a day) had a significant reduction in the level of proteinuria compared to the ones who received placebo.
Studies have shown that turmeric blocks cytokines, including IL-8 and TGF-β signaling cascade in renal cells. Also it delays apoptosis by reducing the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Curcumin (the major active component in turmeric) is an antioxidant too. It may reduce renal inflammation and fibrosis caused by hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in diabetic patients.