Effect of a Combination of Hot Water Extract of Curcuma longa and Curcumin on Serum Liver Enzymes, Inflammatory Markers, and Emotional States in Healthy Participants with Moderately High Body Mass Index ―A Randomized, Double—blind, Placebo—controlled Clinical Trial―

Background The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of this combination on serum liver enzymes, emotional states, and inflammatory markers to clarify the contribution of systemic inflammation to serum liver enzymes and emotional states. Methods Eighty healthy participants with moderately high body mass index were assigned to a 12-week treatment with a combination of hot water extract of Curcuma longa（400μg as bisacurone）and curcumin（30 mg）or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Results For all participants, serum liver enzyme levels did not significantly differ between the combination and the placebo groups. However, for participants whose serum liver enzyme levels were in the borderline range, decreases in serum liver enzymes （alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyltransferase）were significantly greater in the combination group than in the placebo group（P＝0.047, 0.035, and 0.0014, respectively）. Although there were no significant differences in changes in inflammatory marker levels between the placebo and the combination groups, these levels showed a significant decrease in participants whose serum liver enzyme levels had improved. The combination group showed a significantly greater decrease in fatigue scores on the Profile of Mood States（POMS）than the placebo group（P＝0.0007）. Conclusions This study showed that a combination of hot water extract of Curcuma longa and curcumin significantly decreased serum liver enzyme levels of participants with borderline serum liver enzyme levels, possibly through the suppression of systemic inflammation. Additionally, the combination significantly decreased POMS fatigue scores.