Curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin both prevent osteoarthritis symptoms and decrease the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines in estrogen-deficient rats

Abstract

BackgroundMenopausal symptoms are associated with inflammation. Curcumin is a well-known anti-inflammatory bioactive compound from turmeric whereas tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) is a major metabolite of curcumin that may have different efficacies. However, they have not been studied for anti-menopausal symptoms and anti-osteoarthritis effects. We compared the efficacies of curcumin and THC for preventing postmenopausal and osteoarthritis symptoms in ovariectomized (OVX) obese rats with monoiodoacetate (MIA) injections into the right knee to generate a similar pathology as osteoarthritis.MethodsOVX rats were provided a 45 % fat diet containing either (1) 0.4 % curcumin (curcumin), (2) 0.4 % THC, (3) 30 μg/kg body weight 17β-estradiol + 0.4 % dextrin (positive control), (4) 0.4 % dextrin (placebo; control), or (5) 0.4 % dextrin with no MIA injection (normal control) for 4 weeks. At the beginning of the fifth week, OVX rats were given articular injections of MIA or normal-control saline into the right knee and the assigned diets were provided for an additional 3 weeks.ResultsCurcumin and THC had similar efficacies for skin tail temperature in OVX rats whereas THC, but not curcumin, prevented glucose intolerance, which might be involved in exacerbating osteoarthritis. Both protected against osteoarthritis symptoms and pain-related behaviors better than 17β-estradiol treatment in estrogen-deficient rats. Curcumin and THC prevented the deterioration of articular cartilage compared to control. They also maintained lean body mass and lowered fat mass as much as 17β-estradiol treatment. The improvement in osteoarthritis symptoms was associated with decreased gene expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)3 and MMP13 and tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)1β, and IL6 in the articular cartilage.ConclusionsTHC and curcumin are effective for treating postmenopausal and osteoarthritis symptoms in OVX rats with MIA-induced osteoarthritis-like symptoms and may have potential as interventions for menopausal and osteoarthritic symptoms in humans.

Curcumin Inhibits Proliferation of Synovial Cells by Downregulating Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase‐3 in Osteoarthritis

“…Surgical treatments such as osteotomy and joint replacement are viable options 4 . Steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the main painrelieving drugs 5 . However, they cannot be taken long term due to their limited efficacy and side effects, including severe cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications 6 .…”

Fluorescence Detection and Dissociation of Amyloid‐β Species for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

“…[47] In 2009, Ran and coworkers designed and synthesized the CRANAD-2 (Figure 3) based on the skeleton of curcumin. [47] In 2009, Ran and coworkers designed and synthesized the CRANAD-2 (Figure 3) based on the skeleton of curcumin.…”

Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment and Its Effect on the Structural Properties and Isotopic Abundance Ratio of Tetrahydrocurcumin

“…It has strong antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties to those of other naturally occurring curcuminoids, including curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin [2][3][4][5]. In comparison to the curcumin, THC has different molecular targets, signalling pathways, cellular responses, and clinically more advantageous [2][3][4][5]. Many studies also reported that THC has significant results in preventing hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, rheumatoid arthritis, the ageing process, atherosclerotic lesions, etc.…”

“…Many studies also reported that THC has significant results in preventing hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, rheumatoid arthritis, the ageing process, atherosclerotic lesions, etc. [2][3][4][5][6][7]. It has a remarkable role in angiogenesis and also improves the accumulation of extracellular matrix components through the remodeling of the wound repair [5].…”

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7]. It has a remarkable role in angiogenesis and also improves the accumulation of extracellular matrix components through the remodeling of the wound repair [5]. However, THC did not show any associated toxicity even at higher doses and can be used against tumors of the skin, colon, pancreas, breast, psoriasis, and scleroderma [5,7].…”