Data published in the Journal of Orthopedic Research and Therapy indicated that supplementation with OmniActive's Curcuwin Ultra+ (CU+) was associated improvements in the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score (WOMAC) and other measures, including pain and walking performance in as little as five days, compared to placebo.
Twelve weeks of supplementation with 500 mg of the curcumin ingredient was also associated with significant reductions in a range of markers of inflammation, including IL-1β and CRP (C-Reactive Protein).
Improvements were also recorded for CTX-II, a biomarker of cartilage damage, and MMP-3, an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of cartilage.
“The results of this study demonstrate that CU+ supplementation not only reduces discomfort, but also improves joint mobility, flexibility, and knee muscle strength, resulting in an overall improvement in the quality of life for participants with mild OA [osteoarthritis],” wrote scientists led by Nilesh Jagtap from the Royal Hospital in Pune, India.
“Throughout the study CU+ was safe, well-tolerated and reduced the requirement of rescue medication in subjects suffering from mild OA.”
The study was funded by OmniActive Health Technologies.
Hot category
The studies add to the ever-growing body of evidence supporting the potential health benefits of turmeric and the curcuminoids it contains.
The category has enjoyed meteoric growth over the last decade. According to the 2021 Herb Market Report published by the American Botanical Council (HerbalGram 136), turmeric is the number two selling herb in the natural channel, with $38 million in sales. It is number five in the mass channel (MULO) with $111.7 million in sales.
Consumer awareness and understanding of the botanical’s potential benefits are now very high, with data from the ITC Insights 2020 Consumer Survey showing that 86% of supplement consumers are familiar with curcumin/turmeric.
Study details
The new study included 134 adults with mild knee OA, randomly divided into three groups: One group received placebo, and the other two groups received either 250 mg or 500 mg per day of Curcuwin Ultra+.
After twelve weeks of supplementation, both groups experienced significant improvements in total WOMAC, WOMAC-pain, WOMAC-stiffness, WOMAC-physical function, and pain (assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale).
Significant increases were also recorded for walking performance, knee extension and flexion muscle strength, compared to placebo.
Reductions in biomarkers of inflammation and cartilage were only observed in the high-dose group, added the researchers.
Commenting on the study’s findings, Deshanie Rai, PhD, VP, Global Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at OmniActive, stated: "Our bioavailability data for both the 250 mg and 500 mg doses of Curcuwin Ultra+ translated to its efficacy for managing joint discomfort associated with mild knee osteoarthritis. The positive findings of this comprehensive study demonstrate that Curcuwin Ultra+ has an early effect and continues to support musculoskeletal functionality, including cartilage health, over the 12 weeks of supplementation."
Source: Journal of Orthopedic Research and Therapy
8: 1303. Doi: 10.29011/2575-8241.001303
“Efficacy and Safety of a Highly Bioavailable Curcumin Formulation in Modulating Outcomes of Mild Knee Osteoarthritis: Multi-Centric, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study”
Authors: N. Jagtap et al.