Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin and Curcuma longa Extract in the Treatment of Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial

Frontiers in Immunology
Q1
Jul 2022
Citations:100
Influential Citations:1
Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses
90
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Enhanced Details

Methods
29 randomized controlled trials enrolling 2396 participants with arthritis (RA, AS, OA, JIA, gout/hyperuricemia) across 11 countries. Participants included adults; some trials included children (JIA). Study designs were randomized controlled trials, with varying blinding statuses (many double-blind, some unclear or open-label).
Intervention
Oral regimens of curcumin or Curcuma longa extract; dosing ranged from 120 mg to 1500 mg; duration 4–36 weeks; some trials used low-dose vs high-dose regimens; some regimens combined curcumin with other medications (e.g., diclofenac, methotrexate, glucosamine, chondroitin); one trial used topical curcumin ointment.
Results
Curcumin and Curcuma longa Extract were generally safe and improved inflammatory markers and symptoms across arthritis types. In RA, DAS28 decreased by about 1.06 (95% CI -1.53 to -0.59); ESR decreased (standardized mean difference around -3.09; 95% CI -4.60 to -1.58); CRP decreased (mean difference -0.35; 95% CI -0.55 to -0.15); RF decreased (mean difference -51.30; 95% CI -60.59 to -42.01). In OA, pain and function improved (VAS MD about -1.33; WOMAC-pain MD about -0.66; physical function MD about -0.79; stiffness MD about -0.35; all P < 0.01 to < 0.001). Adverse events did not increase with curcumin (RR around 0.36; P = 0.08; non-significant). Some regimens with NSAIDs showed similar or greater pain relief without more adverse events. However, evidence quality is limited by small, heterogeneous, and often low-quality trials; more large, high-quality RCTs are needed. Overall, curcumin and Curcuma longa extract may improve arthritis symptoms and inflammation, but findings should be interpreted cautiously.
Limitations
Small sample sizes; heterogeneity in formulations and co-interventions; some trials at high risk of bias and potential industry funding; language limitations (English and Chinese); short follow-up in many studies.

Abstract

Background Modern pharmacological research found that the chemical components of Curcuma longa L. are mainly curcumin and turmeric volatile oil. Several recent randomized controlled trials (RCT) have shown that curcumin improves symptoms and inflamma...