Efficacy of a Highly Bioavailable Curcumin Supplement in Patients with Mild Knee Osteoarthritis

by | Jul 17, 2023 | 2023, Arthritis, Bone Health, Botanicals, Curcumin

Written by Harold Oster, MD. Results show that the highly bioavailable curcumin supplement, Curcuwin Ultra+, may improve symptoms and signs of mild knee osteoarthritis.

joint healthOsteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Nearly 30% of people over 45 years old have knee osteoarthritis, causing pain, stiffness, and loss of function1. These problems are often evaluated clinically with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Visual Analog Scale for pain (VAS), the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)2, range of motion testing (ROM) with a goniometer, and strength testing with a handheld dynamometer (HHD)3. Curcumin, a polyphenol found in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and oxidative properties. In some animal and human studies, it has been shown to alleviate symptoms of knee osteoarthritis; however, its poor bioavailability has limited curcumin’s efficacy4. Curcuwin Ultra+ (CU+) is a novel curcumin formulation with significantly improved bioavailability5.

Nilesh Jagtap et al studied the effect of two doses of CU+ in patients with mild knee osteoarthritis. One hundred thirty-five patients received seven days of placebo capsules and were randomized to then receive 250mg of CU+, 500mg of CU+, or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The participants were evaluated with the above clinical measures on days 5, 28, 56, and 84. Serum was tested for the markers of inflammation, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)6 and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)7, on days 5 and 84. C-telopeptides of type II collagen (CTX-II)8 and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP)9, early markers of osteoarthritis and its progression, were tested at baseline and day 84. Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), an enzyme that contributes to cartilage damage and whose levels decrease after effective therapy10, was also tested at baseline and day 84. To assess safety, patients were asked to report adverse events, a physical examination was performed at each study visit, and routine lab tests were performed at baseline and the end of the study.

The authors noted the following:

  • The WOMAC score and its subscales for pain, stiffness, and physical function improved for participants receiving both CU+ doses compared to placebo.
  • The VAS score improved in participants receiving both CU+ doses compared to placebo. The VAS score improved more in the participants receiving the 500mg dose than the 250mg dose.
  • Leg strength improved for participants in both active groups compared to placebo.
  • Range of motion for knee extension did not improve with either dose of CU+.
  • Range of motion for knee flexion of the dominant leg did not improve significantly in the group receiving the lower dose of CU+. The participants in the 500mg CU+ group improved compared to placebo and compared to the 250mg group.
  • Both intervention groups improved in knee flexion ROM of the non-dominant leg compared to placebo.
  • Both intervention groups improved in walking distance in the 6MWT compared to placebo.
  • Hs-CRP and IL-1β improved only in the 500mg CU+ group compared to placebo.
  • CTX-II levels decreased in both intervention groups; MMP-3 decreased in the 500mg group; and COMP levels did not change significantly in either intervention group.
  • Subjects receiving CU+ at both dosages utilized less acetaminophen, an allowed rescue medication for pain, compared to placebo.
  • No severe adverse events were noted. One subject had mild symptoms possibly related to the study drug.

Results of the study suggest Curcuwin Ultra+, a highly bioavailable curcumin supplement, improves some signs and symptoms of mild knee osteoarthritis. Some biomarkers for inflammation and progression of osteoarthritis also improved, particularly at a higher dose.

Source: Jagtap N, Shah A, Bedmutha S, Durairaj SK (2023) Efficacy and Safety of a Highly Bioavailable Curcumin Formulation in Modulating Outcomes of Mild Knee Osteoarthritis: Multi-Centric, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Orthop Res Ther 8: 1303. DOI: 10.29011/2575-8241.001303

J Orthop Ther, an open access journal ISSN: 2575-8241

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted July 17, 2023.

Harold Oster, MD graduated from medical school in Miami, Florida in 1992 and moved to Minnesota in 2004. After more than 25 years of practicing Internal Medicine, he recently retired. Dr. Oster is especially interested in nutrition, weight management, and disease prevention. Visit his website at haroldoster.com.

References:

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