The efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin supplements on osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 34017975 · doi:10.1042/BSR20210817
What was done
Authors searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and other databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin supplements for osteoarthritis (OA). RevMan 5.3 was used for risk of bias and meta-analysis, STATA 15.0 for publication bias, and GRADE for evidence certainty.
What was found
A total of 15 RCTs with 1,621 participants were included. The abstract reports no numerical effect sizes or confidence intervals, but reports directional findings: compared with placebo, Curcuma longa extract and curcumin decreased visual analog scale (VAS) pain, WOMAC pain, WOMAC function, and WOMAC stiffness scores with comparable adverse events. Compared with NSAIDs, curcumin had similar efficacy on joint pain, function, and stiffness, but with fewer adverse events. Adding curcumin to NSAIDs further reduced VAS and WOMAC pain, function, and stiffness without increasing adverse events.
Why it matters
This review supports Curcuma longa extract and curcumin as effective alternatives or adjuncts to NSAIDs for osteoarthritis symptom management, potentially reducing adverse event risk.
Limits
The abstract reports no numerical effect sizes, confidence intervals, heterogeneity metrics, or specific GRADE assessment results. Dosages, specific extract formulations, treatment durations, and OA joint sites are not specified in the abstract.
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