Effect of Curcumin Add-On Therapy on Quality of Life and IL-1β Levels in Patients With Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by cognitive impairment, social dysfunction, and reduced quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) observed in patients.

Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from Curcuma longa, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. It has been shown to modulate inflammatory pathways, including inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and may reduce cytokine production. These properties suggest that curcumin could serve as a potential adjunctive therapy in schizophrenia.

This study is a randomized clinical trial conducted at Rumah Sakit Khusus Daerah (RSKD) Dadi, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Participants diagnosed with schizophrenia according to ICD-10 criteria and receiving risperidone therapy are randomly assigned into two groups: (1) a control group receiving risperidone alone, and (2) an intervention group receiving risperidone combined with curcumin extract (1000 mg/day) for 8 weeks.

Quality of life is assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Serum IL-1β levels are measured at baseline and week 8 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The primary objective of the study is to determine the effect of curcumin as an adjuvant therapy on quality of life and IL-1β levels in patients with schizophrenia. Secondary analyses include comparisons of changes between groups and evaluation of the correlation between inflammatory markers and quality of life outcomes.

This study is expected to provide evidence on the role of curcumin as a safe and effective adjunctive therapy targeting inflammatory pathways to improve clinical outcomes in schizophrenia.

Inclusion criteria

• Male patients diagnosed with schizophrenia based on ICD-10 criteria
• Age between 20 and 45 years
• Insight level of 4
• Disease onset less than 12 months
• Post-acute phase with PANSS-EC score < 15
• Receiving risperidone 4 mg/day
• Willing to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of significant medical comorbidities
• History of substance abuse within the past 6 months