Effectiveness of Turmeric (Curcumin Longa L) Against CRP and IL-6: Literature Review
Abstract
Inflammation is a biological response to infection, injury, or tissue damage and is commonly marked by increased inflammatory biomarkers, including C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), particularly its active compound curcumin, has been widely studied for its anti-inflammatory potential through the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to review the effectiveness of turmeric/curcumin in reducing CRP and IL-6 levels based on previously published studies. This research used a narrative literature review design by collecting relevant articles from Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, PubMed NCBI, and ResearchGate. The inclusion criteria consisted of full-text articles published between 2021 and 2026, written in Indonesian or English, and discussing the effect of turmeric or curcumin on CRP and/or IL-6. A total of 10 articles were reviewed and analyzed descriptively. The findings showed that turmeric/curcumin supplementation generally demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in reducing CRP levels. Several studies also reported significant reductions in IL-6, especially in chronic inflammatory conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, asthma, and other metabolic disorders. However, the effectiveness of curcumin on IL-6 remained inconsistent across different clinical conditions, including chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. These variations may be influenced by dosage, duration of supplementation, disease severity, sample characteristics, and curcumin bioavailability. In conclusion, turmeric/curcumin has potential as an adjunctive anti-inflammatory therapy, particularly for reducing CRP levels, while its effect on IL-6 requires further confirmation through well-designed clinical studies with larger sample sizes and standardized formulations.
References
Ali, S., Zehra, A., Khalid, M. U., Hassan, M., & Shah, S. I. A. (2023). Role of C-reactive protein in disease progression, diagnosis and management. Discoveries, 11(4), e179. https://doi.org/10.15190/d.2023.18
Amezcua-Castillo, E., González-Pacheco, H., Sáenz-San Martín, A., Méndez-Ocampo, P., Gutierrez-Moctezuma, I., Massó, F., ... & Amezcua-Guerra, L. M. (2023). C-reactive protein: the quintessential marker of systemic inflammation in coronary artery disease—advancing toward precision medicine. Biomedicines, 11(9), 2444. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11092444
Anwar, L. O. M., & Romli, C. J. (2024). Uji antioksidan pada ekstrak etanol rimpang kunyit (Curcuma longa L.) menggunakan metode DPPH (2,2-difenil-1-pikrilhidrazil). Cakrawala Medika: Journal of Health Sciences, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.59981/vt055345
Darmo, K., Dekayana, A., Judmainnah, Fadhilah, R. N., & Aznawi, A. (2023). Analisis kadar interleukin 6 (IL-6) pada pasien hepatitis B di Klinik Utama Mata JEC Orbita Makassar. Jurnal Analis Kesehatan Kendari, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.46356/jakk.v5i2.230
Dongiovanni, P., Meroni, M., Casati, S., Goldoni, R., Thomaz, D. V., Kehr, N. S., ... & Tartaglia, G. M. (2023). Salivary biomarkers: novel noninvasive tools to diagnose chronic inflammation. International journal of oral science, 15(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41368-023-00231-6
El-Saadony, M. T., Yang, T., Korma, S. A., Sitohy, M., Abd El-Mageed, T. A., Selim, S., ... & Saad, A. M. (2023). Impacts of turmeric and its principal bioactive curcumin on human health: Pharmaceutical, medicinal, and food applications: A comprehensive review. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 1040259. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.1040259
Emami, E., Heidari-Soureshjani, S., & Sherwin, C. M. T. (2022). Anti-inflammatory response to curcumin supplementation in chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.22038/AJP.2022.20049
Emelda, E., Nugraeni, R., & Damayanti, K. (2022). Review: Eksplorasi tanaman herbal Indonesia sebagai anti inflamasi. INPHARNMED: Indonesian Pharmacy and Natural Medicine Journal, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.21927/inpharnmed.v6i2.1938
Han, Z., Li, J., Yi, X., Zhang, T., Liao, D., You, J., et al. (2024). Diagnostic accuracy of interleukin-6 in multiple diseases: An umbrella review of meta-analyses. Heliyon, 10.
Hidayatullah, R. A. R., Husna, A., Khoirunnisa, N., & Primasari, A. (2026). Tinjauan literatur: Komponen bioaktif dan manfaat kesehatan kunyit yang berpotensi sebagai bahan pangan fungsional. Jurnal Al-Azhar Indonesia Seri Sains dan Teknologi, 11(1), 17–31. https://doi.org/10.36722/sst.v11i1.4639
Kang, S., & Kishimoto, T. (2021). Interplay between interleukin-6 signaling and the vascular endothelium in cytokine storms. Experimental & Molecular Medicine, 53, 1116–1123. https://doi.org/10.1038/s12276-021-00649-0
Khdair, S. A., Abdulridha, M. K., & Shafek, M. A. (2021). The effect of curcumin adjuvant therapy on pulmonary function and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and superoxide dismutase-3 (EC-SOD3) in patients with chronic bronchial asthma. Indonesian Journal of Pharmacy, 32(2), 232–240.
Kuriyama, T., Lund, B. K., Williams, D. W., Shibahara, T., Yamashita, T., & Lewis, M. A. (2025). Bacterial Infections of the oral and maxillofacial region. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 401-473.
Kusnanik, N. W., Komaini, A., Adi, S., Pradana, P. Y., Ayubi, N., & Bird, S. P. (2024). Acute effect of curcumin on interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after high-intensity physical exercises. Trends in Sport Sciences, 31(3), 161–167. https://doi.org/10.23829/TSS.2024.31.3-4
Levinson, T., & Wasserman, A. (2022). C-reactive protein velocity (CRPv) as a new biomarker for the early detection of acute infection/inflammation. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(15), 8100. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23158100
Liu, A. J., Wu, P. C., Chen, Y. P., Chu, H. T., & Chang, H. H. (2026). Effects of curcumin and Curcuma longa extract on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Inflammation Research, 75(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-025-02135-z
Łuczaj, Ł., Dumanowski, J., Marszałek, C., & Parasecoli, F. (2023). Turmeric and cumin instead of stock cubes: An internet survey of spices and culinary herbs used in Poland compared with historical cookbooks and herbals. Plants, 12(3), 591. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030591
Mahardieni, K., Chendrasari, J., Syamsu, M., Lelapari, J. S. C., Syafitri, J. A., & Suriyani. (2026). Korelasi kadar interleukin-6 (IL-6) dan C-reactive protein (CRP) sebelum dan setelah aktivitas fisik pada pria umur 18–30. Jurnal Multimedia Dehasen, 5(2), 715–722. https://doi.org/10.37676/mude.v5i2.9352
Marrena, A. D., Nugroho, Y. E., & Farabi, M. F. (2023). Profil kadar C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), dan limfosit sebagai indikator respon imunitas pada lansia. Jurnal Analis Kesehatan Klinik Sains, 11(2).
Mochtar, F., Muhdi, S., Ardian, H., & Silviana, S. (2024). Efektivitas Curcuma longa sebagai herbal preventif dalam bidang obstetri-ginekologi, pediatri, dan patologi anatomi: Kajian sistematik. Jurnal Riset Ilmu Kesehatan Umum dan Farmasi, 2(2), 166–174. https://doi.org/10.57213/jrikuf.v3i2.618
Naghsh, N., Musazadeh, V., Nikpayam, O., Kavyani, Z., Moridpour, A. H., Golandam, F., et al. (2023). Profiling inflammatory biomarkers following curcumin supplementation: An umbrella meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2023, 4875636. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4875636
Olson, M. E., Hornick, M. G., Stefanski, A., Albanna, H. R., Gjoni, A., Hall, G. D., et al. (2023). A biofunctional review of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a mediator of inflammatory and immune responses: Differentiating pentameric and modified CRP isoform effects. Frontiers in Immunology, 14, 1264383. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264383
Pasadena, H., & Widiasari, S. (2025). Efektivitas curcumin dalam mengurangi peradangan pada dermatitis atopik. Termometer: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Kesehatan dan Kedokteran, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.55606/termometer.v3i2.4881
Rahmayani, S., Nurhidayanti, Sari, I., & Juraijin, D. (2023). Perbandingan nilai C-reactive protein metode aglutinasi lateks dan metode fluorescence immunoassay (FIA) pada pasien pra sectio di Rumah Sakit Bunda Palembang tahun 2023. Jurnal Masker Medika, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.52523/maskermedika.v11i2.571
Rohmah, M. N. (2024). Pemanfaatan dan kandungan kunyit (Curcuma domestica) sebagai obat dalam perspektif Islam. Es-Syajar: Journal of Islamic Integration Science and Technology, 2(1), 178–186. https://doi.org/10.18860/es.v2i1.18151
Shufyani. (2024). Bunga rampai herbal medicine. Media Pustaka Indo.
Suardi, Arisanti, D., Hasnah, & Kai, K. W. (2022). Deteksi C-reactive protein (CRP) pada penderita diabetes melitus (DM) di RSUD Labuang Baji Kota Makassar. Jurnal Medika Media Ilmiah Analis Kesehatan, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.53861/jmed.v7i2.325
Sudjarwo, Bobsaid, J., Windianto, F. R., Rizkyah, C., Shaffiqa, N., Putra, A. S., et al. (2023). Improving the bioavailability of curcumin contained in Curcuma heyneana by preparing solid dispersion. Berkala Ilmiah Kimia Farmasi, 10(1), 22–25. https://doi.org/10.20473/bikfar.v10i1.44546
Supriyadi, R., Koswara, M. I. A., Soelaeman, M. A., & Huang, I. (2023). The effect of antioxidants supplementation on oxidative stress and proinflammatory biomarkers in patients with chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 27(4), 1413–1426. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202302_31379
Turnip, N. U. M. B., & Pasaribu, S. O. L. (2025). Uji aktivitas antiinflamasi ekstrak etanol rimpang kunyit (Curcuma longa Linn.) pada mencit putih jantan yang diinduksi karagenan. Jurnal Farmasimed (JFM), 8(1). https://doi.org/10.35451/3n8wb204
Wahyudi, D., Dwy, R., Fenrianti, M. W., Lihawa, M. F. M., & Karauwan, J. R. (2025). Potensi tiga formulasi kurkumin sinergis sebagai adjuvan TBC: Strategi mengatasi hepatotoksisitas OAT. Jurnal Kolaboratif Sains, 8(12), 7963–7971. https://doi.org/10.56338/jks.v8i12.9512
Wang, M. J., Zhang, H. L., Chen, F., Guo, X. J., Liu, Q. G., & Hou, J. (2024). The double-edged effects of IL-6 in liver regeneration, aging, inflammation, and diseases. Experimental Hematology & Oncology, 13, 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40164-024-00527-1
Wardani, E. K., Kurniawati, E., & Saputra, O. (2022). Senyawa kurkumin dengan efikasinya mempengaruhi parameter biokimia pada metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Medula, 12(3).
Wardika, I. K., & Sikesa, I. G. P. H. (2021). Pengukuran interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) dan D-dimer sebagai prediktor prognosis pada pasien COVID-19 gejala berat: Sebuah tinjauan pustaka. Intisari Sains Medis, 12(3), 901–907. https://doi.org/10.15562/ism.v12i3.1158
Wilapangga, A., & Arif, M. (2026). Analisis prediksi potensi farmakokinetik dan toksisitas pada senyawa kurkumin dari ekstrak Curcuma aromatica secara in silico. Journal of Pharmacy UMRI, 2(2).
Yaikwawong, M., Kamdee, K., & Chuengsamarn, S. (2026). Curcumin supplementation reduces inflammation, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and antioxidant status in obese patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27, 3854. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27093854
Yuliana. (2021). The potential effect of natural compounds from Indonesian spices in alleviating inflammation due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19): A narrative review. Indonesian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapy, 2(3), 112–123. https://doi.org/10.22146/ijpther.2366
Zamanian, M. Y., Alsaab, H. O., Golmohammadi, M., Yumashev, A., Jabba, A. M., Abid, M. K., ... & Obakiro, S. B. (2024). Nf‐κb pathway as a molecular target for curcumin in diabetes Mellitus treatment: focusing on oxidative stress and inflammation. Cell biochemistry and function, 42(4), e4030. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbf.4030
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal La Medihealtico

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.



