Effect of Oral Curcumin on Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

 Incomprehensive studies have examined the therapeutic and side effects of curcumin on the treatment of debilitating diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin on RA.

 This double-blind clinical trial was carried out on 64 RA patients with an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)-Disease Activity Score (DAS)-28>2.6. The patients were then randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. In addition to the routine treatment, the intervention group was treated with 80-mg/day capsules of curcumin (nano-micelles). Further, the patients were followed up for three months, and clinical-laboratory examinations were recorded in this study.

 There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding the trends of the disease activity indicators, including DAS-28, disability index, physician assessment, and the number of tender joints (P>0.05). Further, a significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of pain score changes and the number of swollen joints. Additionally, the curcumin-treated subjects obtained lower mean pain and fewer swollen joints, compared to those in the control group (P<0.05).

 The present study revealed that curcumin had no significant therapeutic effects on reducing the activity of RA; however, no significant side effects were observed on the patients, and it also showed its analgesic effect well.