Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Abstract

Although turmeric and its curcumin-enriched extracts have been used for treating arthritis, no systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have been conducted to evaluate the strength of the research. We systemically evaluated all RCTs of turmeric extracts and curcumin for treating arthritis symptoms to elucidate the efficacy of curcuma for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis. Literature searches were conducted using 12 electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Korean databases, Chinese medical databases, and Indian scientific database. Search terms used were “turmeric,” “curcuma,” “curcumin,” “arthritis,” and “osteoarthritis.” A pain visual analogue score (PVAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were used for the major outcomes of arthritis. Initial searches yielded 29 articles, of which 8 met specific selection criteria. Three among the included RCTs reported reduction of PVAS (mean difference: −2.04 [−2.85, −1.24]) with turmeric/curcumin in comparison with placebo (P < .00001), whereas meta-analysis of four studies showed a decrease of WOMAC with turmeric/curcumin treatment (mean difference: −15.36 [−26.9, −3.77]; P = .009). Furthermore, there was no significant mean difference in PVAS between turmeric/curcumin and pain medicine in meta-analysis of five studies. Eight RCTs included in the review exhibited low to moderate risk of bias. There was no publication bias in the meta-analysis. In conclusion, these RCTs provide scientific evidence that supports the efficacy of turmeric extract (about 1000 mg/day of curcumin) in the treatment of arthritis. However, the total number of RCTs included in the analysis, the total sample size, and the methodological quality of the primary studies were not sufficient to draw definitive conclusions. Thus, more rigorous and larger studies are needed to confirm the therapeutic efficacy of turmeric for arthritis.

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

“…Our results also corroborate the conclusions of two recent reviews which suggested beneficial effects of curcuminoids in the treatment of OA. 48,49 In contrast to those reports, we used SMDs rather than MDs to account for variations in outcome measures across the studies, explored dose-effect relationships, and included one new trial 46 which was not available for those reviews. The heterogeneity observed in the meta-analytic results may have resulted from variation in the reporting quality across the RCTs, differences in the demographic characteristics of study participants, differences in the durations of intervention, and variation in daily dosages and bioavailability of curcuminoids and types of control interventions.…”

Management of chronic pain using complementary and integrative medicine

“…Adverse events were not increased with turmeric. 200 Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil, are often used by patients as an additive therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. A meta-analysis of 17 studies with a total of 823 patients investigating the role of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed modest benefits of fish oil in reducing pain (SMD −0.26, −0.49 to −0.10), duration of morning stiffness, and the number of tender or swollen joints.…”

Toxicological safety evaluation of a novel highly bioavailable turmeric extract formulation

“…W., Booth, J., 2004;Daily, Yang, & Park, 2016;EMA, 2017;Ghalaut et al, 2012;Gupta et al, 2013;Khajehdehi et al, 2012;Kuptniratsaikul et al, 2014;Kuttan, Sudheeran, & Josph, 1987;Schaffer, Schaffer, & Bar-Sela, 2015). W., Booth, J., 2004;Daily, Yang, & Park, 2016;EMA, 2017;Ghalaut et al, 2012;Gupta et al, 2013;Khajehdehi et al, 2012;Kuptniratsaikul et al, 2014;Kuttan, Sudheeran, & Josph, 1987;Schaffer, Schaffer, & Bar-Sela, 2015).…”