Curcumin-fenugreek complex outperforms glucosamine-chondroitin for joint health benefits: Study
Data published in Phytotherapy Research indicated that six weeks of supplementation with the curcumin-fenugreek complex at a daily dose of 400 mg produced “superior beneficial effects” than a combination of glucosamine hydrochloride (500 mg) and chondroitin sulphate (415 mg).
Scientists from Bangalore-based Leads Clinical Research & Bio Services Pvt. Ltd. and Akay Natural Ingredients Pvt. report that the benefits of the curcumin-fenugreek complex were linked to its anti-inflammatory potential.
“The significant analgesic effect and hence the improvement in physical functions exhibited by CGM subjects can be attributed to its antiinflammatory effects as evident from the modulation in IL‐1beta, IL‐6 sVCAM, and hs‐CRP,” they wrote.
The study was supported by Akay Natural Ingredients Pvt. Ltd.
By 2040, an estimated 78 million (26%) American adults are projected to have doctor-diagnosed arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For the 23% of all adults in the United States who have arthritis, new research may provide some hope.
Study details
The researchers recruited 84 people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) to participate in their randomized, open‐label, active‐controlled clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned to received either the CurQfen supplements or the combination of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulphate for six weeks.
Data from the 72 people who completed the study indicated that participants in the CurQfen group experienced improvements in scores on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of 47%, compared to baseline levels.
By comparison, improvements in the high-dose glucosamine-chondroitin group were 25% for VAS scores, compared to baseline.
In addition, the curcumin-fenugreek supplement was associated with 206% improvements in walking performance, compared to the baseline.
The authors also report that the CurQfen group experienced improvements in the stiffness, physical function, and total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores of 33%, 36%, and 35%, respectively. Markers of inflammation were also reduced after six weeks of CurQfen supplementation.
On the other hand, improvements in the stiffness, physical function, and total WOMAC scores in the high-dose glucosamine-chondroitin group were 26%, 13%, and 17%, respectively.
“The results indicate that a short‐term supplementation of a low dosage [CurQfen] exerted superior beneficial effects than a high‐dosage [glucosamine-chondroitin] combination in alleviating the pain and symptoms of OA subjects.
“Further clinical trials of extended duration in a larger population is required to substantiate the efficacy of [CurQfen] in the long‐term management of OA,” concluded the researchers.
Source: Phytotherapy Research
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1002/ptr.6907
“Influence of a low‐dose supplementation of curcumagalactomannoside complex (CurQfen) in knee osteoarthritis: A randomized, open‐labeled, active‐controlled clinical trial”
Authors: J.V. Thomas et al.
