Effective Timing of Curcumin Ingestion to Attenuate Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Soreness in Men

Abstract

Curcumin is known to have potent anti-inflammatory effects. We have reported that acute curcumin ingestion attenuates eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. This study aimed to examine the effect of curcumin ingestion timing (before or after exercise) on the changes in muscle damage markers after eccentric exercise. In this randomized, single-blind, parallel design study, 24 healthy young men performed 30 maximal isokinetic (120˚/s) eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors using an isokinetic dynamometer. Subjects were randomly assigned to ingest 180 mg/d of oral curcumin either 7 d before (PRE) or 4 d after exercise (POST) or 180 mg/d of oral placebo 4 d after exercise (CON). The maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque of the elbow flexors, elbow joint range of motion (ROM), muscle soreness, and serum creatine kinase (CK) activity were measured before, immediately after, and 1-4 d after exercise. Changes in these variables were compared over time. In the POST group, ROM were higher at 3-4 d and muscle soreness was lower at 3 d after exercise compared with the CON group (p,0.05). However, in the PRE group, there were no significant differences compared with the CON group in changes in ROM and muscle soreness. Meanwhile, there were no significant differences among the groups in terms of changes in MVC torque and serum CK activity. Our results suggest that curcumin ingestion after exercise had a more beneficial effect in attenuating muscle soreness.

Effects of oral curcumin ingested before or after eccentric exercise on markers of muscle damage and inflammation

“…These phenomena of decreases and increases were similar to those observed in our previous study. 19 The main findings of the study include (a) when supplements were ingested before exercise, no significant differences for any muscle damage markers were found between the CUR and PLA trials ( Figures 2A2-5A); (b) when supplements were ingested after exercise, MVC torque and ROM were higher and muscle soreness and CK activity were lower in subjects who received CUR than those who received the PLA (Figures 2B2-5B); (c) IL-8 was significantly lower 12 hours after exercise in subjects who received CUR than in those who received the PLA when the supplements were ingested before exercise ( Figure 7A); however, no significant differences were found when the supplements were ingested after exercise ( Figure 7B); and (d) no significant differences were detected for TNF-α, d-ROMs, and BAP between CUR and PLA trials, regardless of the timing of supplement intake. These results suggest that CUR ingestion before exercise attenuates early inflammation, and that CUR ingestion after exercise attenuates muscle damage markers and contributes to faster recovery after eccentric exercise.…”

Modulation of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Inflammation, and Oxidative Markers by Curcumin Supplementation in a Physically Active Population: A Systematic Review

“…In addition, Delecroix et al [31] chose a combination of curcumin plus piperine in the composition. Regarding the daily dose of curcumin, seven studies used doses ranging from 150 to 1500 mg [1,2,4,5,10,24,25,30,32], and two studies tested higher doses of about 5 g [28] and 6 g [31] daily. In nine of the included studies, supplementation was given before and after exercise [1,2,5,10,25,28,[30][31][32], Sciberras et al [4] used curcumin before exercise, and Nakhostin-Roohi et al [24] supplemented with curcumin after exercise.…”

“…Regarding the daily dose of curcumin, seven studies used doses ranging from 150 to 1500 mg [1,2,4,5,10,24,25,30,32], and two studies tested higher doses of about 5 g [28] and 6 g [31] daily. In nine of the included studies, supplementation was given before and after exercise [1,2,5,10,25,28,[30][31][32], Sciberras et al [4] used curcumin before exercise, and Nakhostin-Roohi et al [24] supplemented with curcumin after exercise. Finally, treatment duration ranged from one to fifty-six days, with three studies of four days [1,5,31], two of six days [28,30], two of seven days [1,25], two of one day [2,24], one of twenty-eight days [10], and one of fifty-six days [32], respectively.…”

“…In nine of the included studies, supplementation was given before and after exercise [1,2,5,10,25,28,[30][31][32], Sciberras et al [4] used curcumin before exercise, and Nakhostin-Roohi et al [24] supplemented with curcumin after exercise. Finally, treatment duration ranged from one to fifty-six days, with three studies of four days [1,5,31], two of six days [28,30], two of seven days [1,25], two of one day [2,24], one of twenty-eight days [10], and one of fifty-six days [32], respectively. Curcumin capsule made for the study 1 study [28] Dosage Used 150 mg/day 1 study [24] 180 mg/day (2 doses of 90 mg/day) 2 studies [1,25] 300 mg /day (2 doses of 150 mg/day) 1 study [2] 400 mg/day 1 study [30] 400 mg /day (2 doses of 200 mg/day) 1 study [5] 500 mg / day 1 study [4] 5 g/day (2 doses of 2.5 g/day) 1 study [28] 6 g of curcumin + 60 mg of piperine/day (3 doses of 2 g of curcumin + 20 mg of piperine/day) 1 study [31] 600 mg/day (3 doses of 200 mg of curcumin) 1 study [10] 1500 mg/day (3 doses of 500 mg of curcumin) 1 study [32]…”

“…In contrast, Sciberras et al [4] did not reveal any statistical difference between intervention with curcumin and placebo in levels of IL-6 and IL-10. In addition, markers of oxidative stress were only slightly increased after exercise in both groups, which does not allow a comparison of the effects of curcumin versus placebo [5], and there were no differences in terms of changes in maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and serum CK activity [25]. Finally, not all observed changes in performance and soreness after exercise in humans [10] have been reproduced on the mouse model [26].…”