Nano-curcumin supplementation for the management of migraine: A systematic scoping review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Migraine is a common neurological disorder contributing significantly to global disability. Nanocurcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, has emerged as a promising candidate for migraine prophylaxis. Herein, we assessed the effects of nano-curcumin supplementation on headache attack, severity, and duration in adult patients. Methods: Five biomedical databases were searched until March 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). 13 records fulfilled the inclusion criteria, eight of which were considered for meta-analysis. The risk of bias was assessed using ROB2. Outcomes were quantified using both Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) and Mean Difference (MD) along with the 95 % Confidence Intervals (CIs). Pooled intervention effects were estimated using both common-effects and random-effects models. Results: Our analysis revealed that 80 mg nano-curcumin supplementation per day for two months in young adults reduced migraine attacks (SMD-0.55; 95% CI:-1.07 to-0.02), severity (SMD-0.64; 95% CI:-1.10 to-0.19), and duration (MD-2.90; 95% CI:-4.66 to-1.13) when compared with placebo. When combined with nutraceuticals such as omega-3 and coenzyme Q10, nano-curcumin demonstrated enhanced efficacy in reducing migraine attacks (SMD 1.19; 95% CI: 0.90-1.48). Among those who received nano-curcumin supplementation only, a before and after intervention analysis showed a reduction in migraine attacks (SMD-0.77; 95% CI:-1.00 to-0.54), severity (SMD-0.92; 95% CI:-1.50 to-0.33), and duration (SMD-0.63; 95% CI:-1.05 to-0.20). Conclusions: Evidence from literature suggests that nano-curcumin supplementation might be effective in reducing migraine symptoms. However, caution is advised, and further research is recommended to confirm these findings, considering the single institutional source of all studies.