Acute Effects of Turmeric Extracts on Knee Joint Pain: A Pilot, Randomized Controlled Trial
Lorena Calderón-Pérez, Elisabet Llauradó, Judit Companys, Laura Pla‐Pagà, Noemí Boqué, Francesc Puiggròs, Rosa M. Valls, Anna Pedret, Josep Manuel Llabrés, Lluı́s Arola, Rosa Solà
Abstract
Turmeric extracts (TEs) have been shown to be suitable as a pain treatment for human joint arthritis. In a pilot, randomized clinical trial, 68 individuals with mild/moderate knee joint pain (KJP) consumed a new formulation of water-soluble TEs and insoluble curcuminoids (B-Turmactive ® ) or brewer's yeast as a placebo for 1 week. Our hypothesis was that B-Turmactive would have a short-term analgesic effect on KJP measured by the self-reported Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). After 3 days and 1 week, both treatments reduced pain when walking on a flat surface ( P < .01), going up or down stairs ( P < .001), and sitting or lying ( P < .05), but only B-Turmactive reduced pain at night while in bed and in an upright standing position ( P < .01). Concerning global KJP, it was reduced by both treatments after 3 days and 1 week of the intervention ( P < .001), being less with B-Turmactive after 1 week ( P = .012 vs. 3 weeks). Although no intertreatment differences were observed, only B-Turmactive decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels ( P = .045) at 1 week, which indicates a prompt analgesic effect mediated by a decrease in inflammatory status.