Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

The Effects Of Curcumin On Olfactory Dysfunction and Indoxyl Sulphate In Hemodialysis Patients

Document Type : Original

Authors
1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Dr. Mansur No. 5, Medan, 20155, INDONESIA.
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jl. Dr. Mansur No. 5, Medan, 20155, INDONESIA.
3 Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), MARDI Headquatrters, Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
10.22038/ijorl.2026.88960.3990
Abstract
Introduction: Neurological abnormalities in uremic conditions are indicated by olfactory impairment in the population with long-term renal disease, which escalates in prevalence with the degree of severity of renal disease. Indoxyl Sulphate is a kind of toxic substance that exacerbates kidney damage. Since it scavenges ROS or reactive oxygen species, curcumin helps prevent disease development and promotes olfactory ensheathing cell growth and viability under normal and hypoxic settings.

Method: For 12 weeks, 48 patients with stage 5 chronic renal disease receiving regular haemodialysis were split into three groups: the control group, the 500 mg curcumin group, and the 1000 mg curcumin group. Plasma indoxyl Sulphate concentrations and subsequent olfactory function were assessed. The results were compared using bivariate and multivariate analysis.

Results: The olfactory function delta (p=0.002) and discrimination of olfactory delta (p=0.001) of the 500 mg and 1000 mg curcumin groups differed significantly. The 500 mg curcumin group's IS levels (p=0.008) and the control group's (p=0.019) delta IS level (p=0.870) were significantly different from the 1000 mg curcumin olfactory group's olfactory identification (p=0.006) and delta identification (p=0.618). The olfactory thresholds of the three study groups did not differ significantly (p=0.636).

Conclusion: Curcumin therapy alleviated olfactory impairment in individuals with chronic renal illness; no increase in indoxyl Sulphate levels was observed, suggesting that curcumin may stabilize the toxin.
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Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 01 July 2026