Effects of dietary curcumin supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and antioxidant status in weaned piglets: a meta-analysis

Curcumin has attracted increasing attention as a natural feed additive with potential benefits for weaned piglets. This meta-analysis quantitatively evaluated its effects on growth performance, antioxidant status, and intestinal morphology. A total of 22 reports identified from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, and CNKI were included in the quantitative synthesis. The main outcomes were average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (VH/CD), and antioxidant indices in serum and liver. Dietary curcumin supplementation showed beneficial effects on several growth, intestinal morphology, and antioxidant outcomes in weaned piglets. Curcumin supplementation increased ADG (SMD = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.55 to 1.17) and reduced FCR (MD = −0.75, 95% CI: −1.16 to −0.34), whereas its effect on ADFI was less consistent (SMD = 0.49, 95% CI: −0.00 to 0.98). Curcumin supplementation increased VH (SMD = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.57 to 1.22) and VH/CD (SMD = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.71 to 1.38), while reducing CD (SMD = −0.59, 95% CI: −0.85 to −0.33). Antioxidant effects were more consistent in the liver, with increased hepatic SOD (SMD = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.45 to 1.94), GSH-Px (SMD = 1.48, 95% CI: 0.28 to 2.68), and T-AOC (SMD = 1.49, 95% CI: 0.92 to 2.05), together with reduced hepatic MDA (SMD = −2.65, 95% CI: −3.37 to −1.93). Overall, curcumin showed beneficial effects on growth, redox status, and intestinal structure in weaned piglets, and its growth-promoting role appeared to be more closely associated with a reduction in FCR and post-weaning adaptation than with a stable increase in feed intake. Systematic review registration https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2026.4.0054 , identifier INPLASY (registration number INPLASY202640054).