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Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: A randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study
Abstract
Background Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid derived from the spice turmeric, influences several biological mechanisms associated with major depression, namely those associated with monoaminergic activity, immune-inflammatory and oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and neuroprogression. We hypothesised that curcumin would be effective for the treatment of depressive symptoms in individuals with major depressive disorder.Methods In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 56 individuals with major depressive disorder were treated with curcumin (500 mg twice daily) or placebo for 8 weeks. The primary measure was the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology self-rated version (IDS-SR30). Secondary outcomes included IDS-SR30 factor scores and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).Results From baseline to week 4, both curcumin and placebo were associated with improvements in IDS-SR30 total score and most secondary outcome measures. From weeks 4 to 8, curcumin was significantly more effective than placebo in improving several mood-related symptoms, demonstrated by a significant group x time interaction for IDS-SR30 total score (F1, 53=4.22, p=.045) and IDS-SR30 mood score (F1, 53=6.51, p=.014), and a non-significant trend for STAI trait score (F1, 48=2.86, p=.097). Greater efficacy from curcumin treatment was identified in a subgroup of individuals with atypical depression.Conclusions Partial support is provided for the antidepressant effects of curcumin in people with major depressive disorder, evidenced by benefits occurring 4 to 8 weeks after treatment.Limitations Investigations with larger sample sizes, over extended treatment periods, and with varying curcumin dosages are required.
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“Preliminary evidence indicates that add-on treatment with curcumin may promote antidepressant effects in patients with MDD [161, 162].”
From Cognitive remission: a novel objective for the treatment of major depression? (2016) · cites this paper as [161]
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DEPRESYONLU BİREYLERDE KURKUMİN KULLANIMI
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Metadata
- Authors
- Lopresti, A. L., Maes, M., Maker, G. L., Hood, S. D., & Drummond, P. D.
- Affiliations
- Murdoch University (AU)
- Deakin University (AU)
- The University of Western Australia (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Lopresti, Adrian L.
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2014-10
- Volume
- 167
- Pages
- 368-375
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2048063648
- Cited by
- 216
- References
- 62
- Citations by year
- 2026: 22 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 3
- FWCI
- 8.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion)
- Murdoch University Research Portal (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Arjuna Natural Extracts Limited
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Medicine › Curcumin's Biomedical Applications
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Keywords
- curcumin, major depressive disorder, antidepressant effects, atypical depression, depressive symptoms, anxiety, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, turmeric, natural product therapy
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Affect, Antidepressive Agents, Curcumin, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Double-Blind Method, Drug Administration Schedule, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychometrics, Surveys and Questionnaires, Western Australia
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