Efficacy of Combined Channa Striata and Curcumin Supplementation to Enhance Quality of Life among NSCLC Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

Ammayasyiro Uzhma (Universitas Sumatera Utara & Adam Malik Hospital)
Noni Noviasari Soeroso (Universitas Sumatera Utara)
Setia Putra Tarigan (Universitas Sumatera Utara & Adam Malik Hospital)
Muhammad Ichwan (Universitas Sumatera Utara)
Taufik Ashar (Universitas Sumatera Utara)
Guntur Berlian (Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals)
Asep Aripin (Mega Medica Pharmaceuticals)

Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research
Vol. 8 No. 5 (2026): Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research

Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but treatment-related toxicities frequently contribute to nutritional deterioration and impaired quality of life (QoL). Nutritional supplementation may help support patients during treatment. This study evaluated the efficacy of combined Channa striata extract and Curcumin supplementation in improving health-related quality of life among patients with NSCLC undergoing chemotherapy. This study aimed to assess the effects of combined Channa striata extract and Curcumin supplementation on changes in health-related quality of life among patients with non–small cell lung cancer receiving chemotherapy. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among newly diagnosed NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapy. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a combination of Channa striata extract and Curcumin (Striatamin®, PT Mega Medica) or placebo during two chemotherapy cycles. Quality of life was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) at baseline and after treatment. Thirty-two patients were enrolled, with 16 patients in each group. On the EORTC QLQ-C30 functional scale, social functioning improved significantly in the intervention group compared with the control group after the second chemotherapy cycle (45.06 ± 25.65 vs. 33.33, p = 0.049). The intervention group also demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in global health status than the control group (12.49 ± 12.57 vs. 8.27, p = 0.041). Although numerical improvements were observed in several symptom domains, no significant differences were found between groups on the symptom scale (p > 0.05). Administration of a combination of Channa striata and Curcumin up to the second chemotherapy cycle was shown to improve quality of life, particularly in the social functioning domain, and to significantly enhance overall health in patients with NSCLC.