INTRODUCTION: low-grade neuroinflammation and gut-brain axis dysfunction are key mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Curcumin, a polyphenol derived from Curcuma longa, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroimmunomodulatory properties that may offer therapeutic benefits in this population.
OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the effects of curcumin supplementation on systemic inflammation, sensory processing regulation, and gut-brain interaction disorders in children with ASD.
METHODS: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 60 children with ASD over eight weeks. Participants received either curcumin (3,000 mg/day) or placebo. Primary outcomes included high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and fecal calprotectin. Secondary outcomes included the General Index of Sensory Processing Regulation Dysfunction (IGDRPS) and Rome IV criteria for gut-brain interaction disorders.
RESULTS: the curcumin group showed significant reductions in hs-CRP (-83.8 %), ESR (-42.3 %), and fecal calprotectin (-73.7 %), along with a 49 % improvement in IGDRPS and complete resolution of gastrointestinal symptoms in 90 % of participants (p < 0.001). No adverse effects were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: curcumin supplementation reduces systemic and intestinal inflammation, improves sensory regulation, and alleviates functional gastrointestinal disorders in children with ASD, supporting its role as a safe, cost-effective adjunctive intervention within an integrative therapeutic approach.
Gut-Brain Axis