Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42364655›Full record

ReviewPharmaceutical biology2026

Rarely reported cases of hepatotoxicity associated with turmeric- and curcuminoid-containing dietary supplements: a comprehensive review by USP.

Nadeem Akhtar, Joanne Barnes, Paula Gardiner, Bill J Gurley, Richard Ko, Igor Koturbash, Deval Patel, Richard B van Breemen, Amy L Roe

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Pharmaceutical biology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Nadeem AkhtarUnited States Pharmacopeia-India (P) Ltd, Shamirpet, India.
Joanne BarnesDietary Supplement Admission Evaluation & Labeling Expert Committee, United States Pharmacopeia, Rockville, MD, USA.
Paula GardinerDietary Supplement Admission Evaluation & Labeling Expert Committee, United States Pharmacopeia, Rockville, MD, USA.
Bill J GurleyDietary Supplement Admission Evaluation & Labeling Expert Committee, United States Pharmacopeia, Rockville, MD, USA.
Richard KoDietary Supplement Admission Evaluation & Labeling Expert Committee, United States Pharmacopeia, Rockville, MD, USA.
Igor KoturbashDietary Supplement Admission Evaluation & Labeling Expert Committee, United States Pharmacopeia, Rockville, MD, USA.
Deval PatelDietary Supplement Admission Evaluation & Labeling Expert Committee, United States Pharmacopeia, Rockville, MD, USA.
Richard B van BreemenDietary Supplement Admission Evaluation & Labeling Expert Committee, United States Pharmacopeia, Rockville, MD, USA.
Amy L RoeDietary Supplement Admission Evaluation & Labeling Expert Committee, United States Pharmacopeia, Rockville, MD, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Dietary Supplement Admission Evaluation and Labeling Expert Committee (DSAEL EC) routinely monitors safety‑related literature for dietary ingredients covered by USP monographs. Following multiple reports of hepatotoxicity associated with turmeric- or curcuminoid-containing products, the DSAEL EC conducted a comprehensive evaluation.

objectiveTo assess the safety of turmeric and curcuminoids and determine whether cautionary labeling should be added to the USP monographs for these ingredients.

methodsFollowing USP Guidelines, the DSAEL EC reviewed safety and toxicological information. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Hepatotoxicity has been observed with high-dose turmeric rhizome powder or extract in a few rodent toxicology studies. Numerous clinical trials involving turmeric- or curcuminoid-containing supplements have not reported organ toxicity or serious adverse events. Published case reports of clinically apparent liver injury often involve concomitant medications or supplements. Reported hepatotoxicity typically occurs after 1 to 4 months of use and generally resolves upon discontinuation; cases of acute liver failure have been reported albeit rarely. Proposed mechanisms include idiosyncratic, immune-mediated injury, and emerging evidence suggests possible genetic susceptibility.

conclusionsThe USP DSAEL EC recommends adding the following cautionary statement to its turmeric and curcuminoids monographs:

Indexed as

Chemical and Drug Induced Liver InjuryCurcumaCurcuminDietary SupplementsPharmacopoeias as TopicPlant ExtractsAnimalsHumansUnited StatesCurcuminPlant ExtractsCurcumindietary supplementhepatotoxicityturmeric

Identifiers

PMID42364655
PMCPMC13312837

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.