Reflections about osteoarthritis and Curcuma longa

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic inflammatory degenerative process that affects joints such as the hands, hips, shoulders, feet, spine, and especially knees in millions of people worldwide. Some authors have shown that Curcuma longa components may exhibit benefic effects in the treatment of degenerative diseases as OA. This plant belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and it is popularly known as turmeric or saffron. This review intended to perform a retrospective search to identify studies involving humans and animal models. This review was based on articles linking OA and C. longa. Databases as Medline, Science Direct, and Lilacs were consulted and a retrospective search was carried out in order to identify studies involving humans and animal models. The curcuminoids from C. longa exhibit actions at different locations in the pathogenesis of OA once it may play an important role as anti-inflammatory, down-regulating enzymes as phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2, and lipoxygenases, and reducing tumor necrosis factor-alpha-and interleukins such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and IL-8. They also act as inducer of apoptosis in synoviocytes, decreasing the inflammation process and may also reduce the synthesis of reactive oxygen species. For these reasons, new pharmaceutical technology and pharmacological studies should be proposed to determine the dose, the best delivery vehicle, pharmaceutical formulation and route of administration of this plant so its use as an adjunct in the treatment of OA may become a reality in clinical practice.

Icariin Activates Autophagy via Down-Regulation of the NF-κB Signaling-Mediated Apoptosis in Chondrocytes

“…With Atg 5 knockdown, mice were more likely to develop OA with aging ( Bouderlique et al, 2016 ), suggesting that activation of autophagy has a beneficial effect in preventing OA. When inflammatory cytokines release, the level of ROS and NO production increases, ultimately leading to chondrocyte apoptosis ( Akuri et al, 2017 ). The present study results consistent with previous studies which showed that TNF-α induced chondrocyte apoptosis via upregulated expression level of ROS and NO.…”

Oral curcumin supplementation improves fine motor function in the middle-aged rhesus monkey

“…Based on the well-established anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin and the occurrence of age-related systemic inflammation and its relationship to osteoarthritis, several studies have investigated the efficacy of curcumin to treat osteoarthritis (Chin KY 2016; Akuri et al 2017; Onakpoya et al 2017). Chin (2016) reviewed fifteen clinical studies that compared treatment with curcumin and either control vehicle, NSAID, chondroitin sulfate or glucosamine.…”

Turmeric

“…137,138 Preclinical experiments indicate that changes in cellular inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, chondrocyte destruction and renewal, and in osteoclastogenesis contribute to the antiarthritic action of curcuminoids. 139,140 Preclinical studies of glucose and lipid homeostasis indicate that curcuminoids can modulate insulin action, lipolysis, adipogenesis, lipoprotein function, and nutrient absorption. 126,132,136,[141][142][143] Safety Turmeric, its essential oils, and oleoresins are generally recognized as safe by the US Food and Drug Administration.…”