Related Experiment Videos
Curcumin as a neuroprotective agent against platinum-induced peripheral neuropathy: a double-blind randomized
Mohsen Zabihi1, Farahnaz Hoseinzadeh2, Mahla Mostafaei2
1Traditional Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
Background:
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) particularly from platinum-based agents remains a major dose-limiting complication, impairing patients' quality of life. This double-blind randomized clinical trial evaluated the neuroprotective potential of curcumin, a natural polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in mitigating platinum-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients.
Methods:
Seventy adult cancer patients with established platinum-induced CIPN were randomly assigned to receive either curcumin (40 mg twice daily) or placebo for four weeks in a double-blind design. Neuropathy symptoms were assessed using the validated QLQ-CIPN20 questionnaire at baseline and during follow-up (days 4, 7, 14, and 28).
Results:
Of 70 randomized patients, 65 completed the study (31 in the curcumin group and 34 in the placebo group). By day 28, the curcumin group demonstrated a significant reduction in sensory symptom scores compared with placebo (p = 0.021), along with a decrease in total QLQ-CIPN20 scores (p = 0.0012). No significant changes were observed in motor or autonomic domains.
Conclusion:
Curcumin significantly alleviated sensory symptoms of CIPN, suggesting a potential neuroprotective effect. Although only patient-reported outcomes were evaluated, the results provide preliminary clinical evidence supporting curcumin as a safe adjunctive option for managing CIPN. Future studies incorporating objective neurophysiological or biomarker assessments are warranted to validate these findings.
Trial Registration:
Trial Registry Number (IRCT20191106045356N6|| https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/ ) with the Clinical Trial Registry 2022-08-29.
