Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. 2-month supplementation of 80 mg nano-curcumin significantly reduced headache duration (p < 0.001) and headache frequency (p < 0.001) compared to placebo.
Migraine is the most frequent neurological problem and is the second most common cause of disability1. It is accompanied by disabling headaches and a variety of somatosensory and transient motor disturbances2. Chronic pain related to migraines, the result of an increased oxidative state, is characterized by activation of central and peripheral pain pathways mediated through multiple inflammatory molecules including leptin, its relative adiponectin, and reactive oxygen species3.
Herbal supplementation is gaining popularity to prevent or treat neurological disorders such as migraines4. Curcumin is a promising candidate for controlling migraine due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-protein aggregate, and analgesic effects5. Research has shown that curcumin modulates multiple molecular targets and relieves neurogenic pain by down-regulating inflammatory mediator expression6.
Sedighiyan et al. conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to analyze the effects of nano-curcumin supplementation on leptin and adiponectin gene expression and serum levels. Subject inclusion consisted of being between the ages of 20 to 50 years, with a BMI between 25-35, experiencing diagnosed episodic migraines, who were not following a specific diet or supplement protocol. 44 subjects participated in the study and included 42 females and 2 males. Anthropometric data, frequency of headache attacks and durations, and severity of pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaire was recorded at baseline and the end of the two-month study.
Participants were divided into two different groups including: the intervention group (nano-curcumin) and the control group (placebo). The intervention group received 80 mg nano-curcumin and the control group received a placebo containing paraffin oil and both groups were told to take two 40 mg capsules daily (equivalent of 80 mg/day) after lunch and dinner. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ELISA method were used to measure the mRNA expression of leptin and adiponectin from isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).
The Kolmogorov-Smirnov distribution test was utilized to assess the normality of data. Paired t-test and independent t-test were used for normal data to compare the results within and between groups. No significant anthropometric data between the two groups was noted. Furthermore, no significant differences between clinical pain features and severity were observed between groups. Significant findings of the study are as follows:
- The mRNA expression analysis of adiponectin shows a significant increase in the nano-curcumin group (p < 0.05) compared to placebo, with a 13.9% effect size.
- A reduction in change fold regarding leptin gene expression was noted. After analysis, a close to significant p value was observed (p value = 0.06).
- Serum levels of adiponectin significantly increased in the nano-curcumin group, with a significant difference noted between the groups (p = 0.02).
- Headache duration (p < 0.001) and headache frequency (p < 0.001) were significantly reduced in the nano-curcumin group alone.
Results of the study show that 2-month supplementation of nano-curcumin significantly reduced migraine symptom severity and duration. Additionally, nano-curcumin significantly increased adiponectin gene expression. Further research using larger sample studies and longer study durations are necessary to better comprehend the use of nano-curcumin to reduce symptoms of migraines.
Source: Sedighiyan, Mohsen, Elham Jafari, Sara S. Athar, Mir-Saeed Yekaninejad, Ehsan Alvandi, Mina Abdolahi, and Mahmoud Djalali. “The effects of nano-curcumin supplementation on leptin and adiponectin in migraine patients: a double-blind clinical trial study from gene expression to clinical symptoms.” Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders-Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets-Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders) 23, no. 5 (2023): 711-720.
© 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Click here to read the full text study.
Posted July 17, 2023.
Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.
References:
- Aguilar-Shea AL, Membrilla Md JA, Diaz-de-Teran J. Migraine review for general practice. Aten Primaria. Feb 2022;54(2):102208. doi:10.1016/j.aprim.2021.102208
- Gazerani P. Migraine and Diet. Nutrients. Jun 3 2020;12(6)doi:10.3390/nu12061658
- Kinfe TM, Buchfelder M, Chaudhry SR, et al. Leptin and Associated Mediators of Immunometabolic Signaling: Novel Molecular Outcome Measures for Neurostimulation to Treat Chronic Pain. Int J Mol Sci. Sep 24 2019;20(19)doi:10.3390/ijms20194737
- Shojaei M, Sahebkar A, Khorvash F, Fallahpour S, Askari G, Bagherniya M. The effects of phytosomal curcumin supplementation on clinical symptoms, and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with migraine: A protocol for a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Avicenna J Phytomed. Jan-Feb 2023;13(1):45-57. doi:10.22038/ajp.2022.21242
- Heidari H, Shojaei M, Askari G, et al. The impact of curcumin on migraine: A comprehensive review. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. Aug 2023;164:114910. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114910
- Rezaie S, Askari G, Khorvash F, Tarrahi MJ, Amani R. Effects of Curcumin Supplementation on Clinical Features and Inflammation, in Migraine Patients: A Double-Blind Controlled, Placebo Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Prev Med. 2021;12:161. doi:10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_405_20
