A Proprietary Blend of Tamarind and Curcumin Improves Musculoskeletal Function in Adults with Osteoarthritis

by | Aug 28, 2023 | 2023, Arthritis, Botanicals, Curcumin, Joint Health

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. 30-day supplementation of NXT15906F6 resulted in significant reductions in WOMAC scores (p < 0.001) and VAS pain scores by 33.10% at the end of the study. 

joint healthOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent chronic joint disease that can affect small, medium, and large joints, with the knee being one of the most frequently affected areas1. Worldwide, an estimated 240 million people experience symptomatic, activity-limiting OA2. One of the important factors in the pathogenesis of OA is a disturbed cytokine balance in favor of proinflammatory cytokines that leads to damage to cartilage and other intra-articular structures by activating catabolic enzymes3.

Research has shown that healthy dietary patterns and supplementation can mitigate OA progression, decrease inflammatory markers, and yield reductions in body mass4. Curcuma longa, with its main ingredient curcumin, is a natural active oxygen scavenger and active nitrogen provider and has been proven to be effective in treating pain caused by arthritis and OA5. Additionally, tamarind seed is rich in polyphenolic proanthocyanidins that provide anti-inflammatory properties and provide a defense against oxidative stress6.

Prasad et al. conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to analyze the efficacy of NXT15906F6 (TamaFlex), an aqueous blend ethanolic extracts of T. indica seeds and ethanolic extract of C. longa rhizome on subjects with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. The blend contains a minimum of 65% proanthocyanidins and 3% of total curcuminoids.

Subjects between the ages of 40 to 70 years, with a BMI of 20 and 20 kg/m2, with either unilateral or bilateral OA of the knee based on X-ray examination and a visual analog scale (VAS) score between 40 and 70 were included in the study. Participants were assigned to either the placebo (n=44), the NXT15906F6-250 mg group (n=46), or the CLBS-1000mg group (n=45). The CLBS blend contained standardized extracts of C.longa rhizome and B. serrata gum resin, with each 500 mg of CLBS consisted of 333.3 mg C.longa extract containing approximately 95% total curcuminoids and 166.7 mg of B. serrata extract standardized to 80% total boswellic acids.

Participants partook in five study visits, visit 1 (screening visit), visit 2 or baseline (randomization visit), visit 3 (first follow-up at day 5), visit 4 (second follow-up at day 14), and visit 5 (third follow-up at day 30). Primary efficacy measures included changes in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, which describe joint pain and physical function. Secondary efficacy evaluations were improvements in VAS scores, Lesquesne’s functional index (LFI), the Six Minute Walk Test (SMWT), Stair Climb Test (SCT), knee flexion range of motion (ROM), and 30-second chair stand test (30s-CST) from baseline to the end of study. The functional evaluations were completed at baseline, and on day 5, day 14, and day 30 of supplementation. Inflammatory biomarkers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were collected from blood samples and C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) was evaluated from urine samples at baseline and on day 30.

Paired t-tests and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were utilized to evaluate the mean differences between the groups and within the groups, respectively. Significant findings of the study are as follows:

  • The NXT15906F6 group experienced significant reductions (p < 0.001) in WOMAC scores by 19.79, 31.86, and 38.11% on day 5, 14, and 30, respectively. Post-trial, both placebo and the CLBS group showed 15.12% (p < 0.001) and 17.43% (p < 0.001) reductions in WOMAC-A subscale (pain) scores compared to baseline.
  • The NXT15906F6 group also showed significant reductions in stiffness scores beginning at day 5 as compared with baseline. Stiffness scores were reduced (p < 0.001) by 14.44, 19.15, and 30.19% on days 5, 14, and 30, respectively. Furthermore, physical function was significantly improved and resulted in 7.94, 16.38, and 27.95% reductions (p < 0.001) on days 5, 14, and 30, respectively.
  • The NXT15906F6 group significantly reduced VAS Pain scores by 33.10%, LFI scores by 29.92%, improved SMWT by 32.48%, and ROM by 5.35% at day 30 of supplementation.
  • NXT15906F6 supplementation significantly reduced hs-CRP levels by 45.14% at day 30 compared to baseline (p < 0.001). Additionally, the NXT15906F6 group experienced a 25.56% reduction in CTX-II levels as compared to baseline (p < 0.001).

Results of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study show that 30-day NXT15906F6 supplementation significantly improved WOMAC and VAS scores, suggesting a significant reduction in OA-related joint pain. Furthermore, NXT15906F6 significantly improved LFI scores, SMWT results, and primary knee flexion by the end of the study, resulting in improved musculoskeletal function. Further research on NXT15906F6 should focus on a longer study design to assess potential further improvements in joint functioning of adults with OA.

Source: Prasad, Nandlal, Vineet Vinay, and Anupam Srivastava. “Efficacy of a proprietary combination of Tamarindus indica seeds and Curcuma longa rhizome extracts in osteoarthritis: a clinical investigation.” Food & Nutrition Research 67 (2023).

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Posted August 28, 2023.

Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.

References:

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  2. Katz JN, Arant KR, Loeser RF. Diagnosis and Treatment of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Review. Jama. Feb 9 2021;325(6):568-578. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.22171
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  6. Kare SK, Vinay V, Maresz K, Prisk V, Vik H. Tamarindus indica Seed Extract-Based Botanical Compositions Alleviate Knee Pain and Improve Joint Function in Mild-to-Moderate Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022;2022:2226139. doi:10.1155/2022/2226139