Polyphenols intervention is an effective strategy to ameliorate inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Whether polyphenols could ameliorate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still conflicting. To explore the efficacy of polyphenols as an adjuvant therapy for IBD, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis. Literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane databases. Finally, 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. In contrast to control group, curcumin treatment significantly improved clinical remission in intention-to-treat (ITT) (OR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.09-10.37) and per-protocol (PP) analysis (OR = 5.13, 95% CI: 1.84-14.27). Meanwhile, curcumin could significantly ameliorate endoscopic remission (OR = 5.69, 95% CI: 1.28-25.27) and clinical response (OR = 4.69, 95% CI: 1.03-21.47) in PP analysis. Heterogeneity was present across the studies. In conclusions, polyphenols might be an effective adjuvant treatment for ameliorating IBD. Considering the relatively few studies included in our present study, further clinical trials are required to verify the effects of polyphenols on IBD.