Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Background: Metabolic syndrome (Mets) represents a cluster of metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, central obesity, and chronic inflammation that collectively elevate cardiovascular and diabetic risk. Conventional pharmacological management, though effective, often fails to address the multifactorial pathophysiology underlying Mets, prompting interest in complementary nutraceutical approaches. Curcumin, the principal bioactive component of Curcuma longa, possesses potent anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, and insulin-sensitising properties but suffers from poor systemic bio‑availability.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacological efficacy and safety of a bio‑availability-enhanced curcumin-enriched nutraceutical formulation in improving metabolic, inflammatory, and anthropometric parameters among adults with metabolic syndrome.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, double‑blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 60 participants diagnosed with Mets per International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Participants were assigned to receive either curcumin-enriched nutraceuticals (500 mg twice daily) or identical placebo for 12 weeks. Efficacy outcomes included fasting plasma glucose, HOMA-IR, lipid profile, waist circumference, blood pressure, and inflammatory biomarkers (hs-CRP, TNF-α). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26.0, with p<0.05 considered significant.

Results: Participants receiving curcumin supplementation showed significant improvements in fasting glucose (−11.4 mg·dL⁻¹, p<0.001), HOMA-IR (−0.8, p<0.001), triglycerides (−31.1 mg·dL⁻¹, p = 0.002), HDL-cholesterol (+2.6 mg·dL⁻¹, p = 0.004), and waist circumference (−3.5 cm, p = 0.001) compared with placebo. Serum hs-CRP and TNF-α levels were also significantly reduced (−35.9 % and −27.6 %, respectively; p<0.001). Over half (53.3 %) of the curcumin group achieved ≥3-component improvement in Mets criteria versus 20 % in the placebo group (p = 0.01). No adverse effects were reported during the intervention.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that curcumin-enriched nutraceutical formulations substantially ameliorate glycaemic, lipid, and inflammatory abnormalities in metabolic syndrome while maintaining a high safety profile. This nutraceutical approach offers a promising, evidence-based adjunctive strategy for holistic management of Mets. Broader clinical adoption and longer-term trials are warranted to validate these benefits and inform standardized therapeutic guidelines.