Evidence supporting the use of: Curcumin
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Curcumin, the main bioactive compound in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for inflammatory conditions, including arthritis. In recent years, its use for supporting or treating Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has garnered scientific interest. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated curcumin’s anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, such as inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and downregulation of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, all of which play roles in RA pathogenesis.

A number of small clinical trials have evaluated curcumin (often in enhanced-bioavailability formulations) in patients with RA. For example, a 2012 randomized pilot study by Chandran and Goel found that curcumin supplementation significantly reduced Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and joint tenderness/swelling compared to a standard anti-inflammatory drug, and with fewer side effects. Other studies and systematic reviews have suggested that curcumin may help reduce symptoms such as pain and swelling, although limitations include small sample sizes, short study durations, and heterogeneity in curcumin formulations and dosages.

Overall, while curcumin use for RA has traditional roots, there is moderate scientific evidence supporting its adjunctive benefit in reducing RA symptoms, with a favorable safety profile. However, more large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to establish its efficacy and optimal dosing in RA treatment.

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Other ingredients used for Rheumatoid Arthritis

15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
Abies spectabilis
Abrus
Actaea spicata
adrenal cortex
Akebia
Alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
amber
amentoflavone
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
andrographolide
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antler
apigenin
apocynin
Aralia
arctiin
arjunic acid
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalin
baicalein
baicalin
barbasco
bee venom
Bergenia
Black Hellebore
Black willow
bogbean
borage oil
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
carnosic acid
celery
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese pond turtle
chuchuhuasi
clematis
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cod liver oil
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cortisol
curcumin
cyanidin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
docosahexaenoic Acid
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fat liver oil
fisetin
fish protein
flavanols
flavones
Flemingia philippinensis
frankincense
fructoborate
Fumaria parviflora
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
genistein
Gentiana macrophylla
ginger
ginkgetin
green-lipped mussel
guelder rose
Gypenoside
Harpagoside
Hellebore
horse gram
hydroxytyrosol
Hyperoside
Jatropha macrantha
Kaempferol
krill oil
luteolin
madder
mangiferin
Marine fat
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Myricetin
Myristoleate
Nobiletin
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Phaeophyceae
phospholipids
Piper chaba
Polydatin
polyunsaturated fat
proteoglycans
Puerarin
Qin Jiao
resveratrol
rose hips
Salicin
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
saponins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Semecarpus anacardium
Shilajit
Silkmoth
Sinomenium acutum
slippery elm bark
smilax
Stearidonic acid
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Szechuan lovage
Tanshinone
Taxillus chinensis
teasel
turmeric
Uncaria
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Watercress
white willow
Withanolides