Mitigation of Systemic Oxidative Stress by Curcuminoids in Osteoarthritis: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Curcuminoids are natural polyphenols with strong antioxidant capacity and may thus be helpful in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The present randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial investigated the efficacy of curcuminoids in reducing systemic oxidative burden in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Forty patients with mild-to-moderate primary knee osteoarthritis were given curcuminoid capsules (1500 mg/day in 3 divided doses; n = 19) or matched placebo capsules (n = 21) for a period of 6 weeks. Curcuminoids were co-administered with piperine (15 mg/day) in order to improve the bioavailability. Serum activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malonedialdehyde (MDA) were determined spectrophotometrically at baseline and at the end of the treatment period in both groups. Serum activities of SOD as well as GSH and MDA concentrations were comparable between the study groups at baseline (p > 0.05). There was a significant elevation in serum SOD activities (mean change: 2.94 ± 3.73 vs. -0.38 ± 1.33; p < 0.001), a borderline significant elevation in GSH concentrations (mean change: 1.39 ± 2.78 vs. -0.02 ± 1.62; p = 0.064) and a significant reduction in MDA concentrations (mean change: -5.26 ± 4.46 vs. -2.49 ± 3.81; p = 0.044) in the curcuminoids compared with the placebo group. Changes in serum activities of SOD and concentrations of GSH and MDA during the course of trial were significantly correlated. Short-term supplementation with curcuminoids attenuates systemic oxidative stress in patients with osteoarthritis. These antioxidant effects may account for the reported therapeutic effects of curcuminoids in relieving osteoarthritis symptoms.

Phytomedicine in Joint Disorders

“…The reduction of the systemic oxidative stress as reflected by enhanced serum SOD activity, increased GSH level, and decreased malondialdehyde level was considered part of the mechanism of action [46]. The blockage of glial activation resulting in decreased synthesis and secretion of inflammatory mediators in the spinal cord, corroborated by similar results in studies on cultures of astrocytes and microglia can be responsible for arthritic pain reduction [47].…”

Effectiveness of curcuminoids in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials

“…We excluded seven studies because curcuminoids were combined with other types of intervention, [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] one study because it included participants with rheumatoid arthritis 36 and another because curcuminoid was used as an add-on to conventional treatment. 37 We also excluded one study because there was no relevant outcome 38 and one (abstract) because it was a duplicate of another excluded study. 39 Finally, we included seven studies [40][41][42][43][44][45][46] with a total of 797 participants.…”

A putative Chondroprotective role for IL-1β and MPO in herbal treatment of experimental osteoarthritis

“…Its extract has been shown to have beneficial effects in the treatment of OA through lowering oxidative stress and reducing inflammation [19, 20]. It has also been shown to have protective effects against rheumatoid arthritis in rat model [21].…”