Effectiveness of Curcuma longa Extract for the Treatment of Symptoms and Effusion–Synovitis of Knee Osteoarthritis

• DOI: 10.7326/m20-0990
• Publication Date: 2020-09-14T21:01:17Z
• Authors: Zhiqiang Wang; Graeme Jones; Tania Winzenberg; Guoqi Cai; Laura L. Laslett; Dawn Aitken; Ingrid Hopper; Ambrish Singh; Robert Jones; Jurgen Fripp; Changhai Ding; Benny Antony
• Keywords: WOMAC; Knee pain

Background: Current pharmacologic therapies for patients with osteoarthritis are suboptimal. Objective: To determine the efficacy of Curcuma longa extract (CL) reducing knee symptoms and effusion–synovitis in symptomatic effusion–synovitis. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618000080224) Setting: Single-center study from southern Tasmania, Australia. Participants: 70 participants ultrasonography-defined Intervention: 2 capsules CL (n = 36) or matched placebo 34) per day 12 weeks. Measurements: The primary outcomes were changes pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) volume magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). key secondary change Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) cartilage composition values. Outcomes assessed over Results: improved VAS compared by −9.1 mm (95% CI, −17.8 to −0.4 [P 0.039]) but did not (3.2 mL [CI, −0.3 6.8 mL]). also WOMAC (−47.2 −81.2 −13.2 mm]; P 0.006) lateral femoral T2 relaxation time (−0.4 ms −1.1 0.3 ms]). incidence adverse events was similar 14 [39%]) 18 [53%]) groups (P 0.16); group 5 may have been treatment related. Limitation: Modest sample size short duration. Conclusion: more effective than affect composition. Multicenter trials larger sizes needed assess clinical significance these findings. Primary Funding Source: University Tasmania Natural Remedies Private Limited.