Inflammation and pain induced by delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) can be induced by eccentric exercise or an unaccustomed activity. The condition can causes problems in exercising and for athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of 150mg curcumin supplementation immediately after intensive eccentric exercise. Evaluations were made for total antioxidant Capacity (TAC), muscle damage markers, and DOMS induced pain. Ten healthy young males (age, 25.0 ± 1.6 years; height, 178.9 ± 4.1 cm; body mass, 81.1 ± 6.8 kg; fat%, 14.2 ± 2.1) completed a double blind randomized-controlled crossover trial to estimate the effects of oral curcumin supplementation (150mg) and a placebo on squat performance and DOMS following unaccustomed heavy eccentric exercise. Curcumin (CU) or placebo (P) was taken at the prescribed dose immediately after eccentric squat exercises; administrations were separated by a 14-day washout period. Measurements were made at the baseline, immediately, 24, 48, and 72h after exercise comprising: (a) limb pain (1-10 cm visual analogue scale; VAS), (b) total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (c) serum markers of muscle damage and inflammation. Measurements taken after exercise showed significantly reduced levels of pain, creatine kinase (CK), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in C group compared with group P group (P<0.05). TAC remained significantly high in group C after exercise compared with levels in group P (P<0.05). The findings of this study suggest that a 150mg dose of curcumin may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on DOMS.

Background: Polyphenols are a class of organic chemical compounds, with strong antioxidant capacity. This investigation evaluates the influences of one week curcumin supplementation on selected indices of oxidative stress after 14 km running in active healthy young males. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 1 week of curcumin supplementation on anti-oxidant markers. Methods: Subjects were randomized in a double blind, placebo-controlled fashion into two groups: Curcumin (C) (n = 11) and placebo (P) (n = 9). The subjects received supplementation (90 mg) or placebo for 7 days before main trial. Then, subjects ran 14 km. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA-TBARS) were measured using spectrophotometer methods. Results: There was a significant increase in TAC after supplementation (P < 0.001, ES = 1. 42), and immediately after exercise (P = 0. 008, ES = 1. 12) in C group compared with the P group. MDA-TBARS was significantly lower in C group compared with the P group immediately after exercise (P = 0. 022, ES = 1. 00). GSH significantly increased immediately, 24, and 48 hours after exercise compared with pre-exercise only in C group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It is concluded one week oral supplementation of curcumin has positive effects on selected indices of oxidative stress possibly via promotion of antioxidant capacity.