Curcumin May Be a Safe and Highly Effective Treatment for Active Rheumatoid Arthritis

In a study involving 45 subjects diagnosed with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), treatment with curcumin (500 mg/d) was found to be more effective than treatment with diclofenac sodium (50 mg/d) in reducing symptoms of joint swelling and tenderness. Subjects (n=45) were randomized into three groups receiving either curcumin (500 mg) and diclofenac sodium (50 mg) alone or their combination. Based on Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28 and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for reduction in tenderness and swelling of joint scores, researchers found that patients in all three treatment groups showed statistically significant changes in their DAS scores, with the curcumin group showing the highest percentage of improvement, and significantly better than the patients in the diclofenac sodium group. No adverse events were related to curcumin intake. Authors conclude that curcumin may be more effective than the drug, diclofenac sodium, for patients with active RA.

Reference: "A Randomized, Pilot Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin in Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis," Chandran B, Goel A, Phytother Res, 2012 Mar 9;