| Folk and herbal remedies for arthritis are often found, | | | | Dr. Funk and her colleagues add, "This study also |
| after scientific scrutiny, to have beneficial effects. A | | | | provides the first in vivo documentation of a |
| recent study seems to support the role of turmeric | | | | mechanism of action -- how curcumin-containing |
| as a spice that could help alleviate the pain and | | | | extracts protect against arthritis." |
| inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | "We found that the curcuminoid extract inhibits a |
| Turmeric is the spice that flavors and gives yellow | | | | transcription factor called NF-KB from being activated |
| color to curries and other foods. It has been used for | | | | in the joint. A transcription factor is a protein that |
| centuries by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine to | | | | controls when genes are switched on or off. Once |
| treat inflammatory diseases. Turmeric extract | | | | the transcription factor NF-KB is activated, or turned |
| containing the ingredient curcumin is marketed widely | | | | on, it binds to genes and enhances production of |
| as a dietary supplement for the treatment and | | | | inflammatory proteins, destructive to the joint. |
| prevention of a variety of disorders, including arthritis. | | | | The finding that curcuminoid extract inhibits activation |
| Janet L. Funk, MD and Barbara N. Timmermann, PhD, | | | | of NF-KB suggests that turmeric dietary supplements |
| researchers at the University of Arizona, Center for | | | | share the same mechanism of action as anti-arthritic |
| Phytomedicine Research, set up a series of | | | | pharmaceuticals under development that target |
| experiments to determine whether (and how) | | | | NF-KB. It also suggests that turmeric may have a use |
| turmeric works as an anti-arthritic. They began by | | | | in other inflammatory disorders, such as asthma, |
| preparing their own extracts from the root of the | | | | multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease." |
| plant and compared them with commercially available | | | | In addition to preventing joint inflammation, Dr. Funk's |
| products. | | | | study shows that the curcuminoid extract blocked |
| Dr. Funk and her colleagues then tested in animal | | | | the pathway that affects bone resorption. Bone loss |
| models a whole extract of turmeric root, only the | | | | associated with osteoporosis in women typically |
| essential oils, and an oil-depleted extract containing | | | | begins before the onset of menopause. Bone loss is |
| the three major curcuminoids found in the plant root. | | | | also a feature of rheumatoid arthritis. |
| Of the three extracts, the one containing the major | | | | (Funk JL, Frye JB, Oyarzo JN, Kuscuoglu N, Wilson J, |
| curcuminoids was most similar in chemical composition | | | | McCaffrey G, Stafford G, Chen G, Lantz RC, Jolad |
| to commercially available turmeric dietary | | | | SD, Solyom AM, Kiela PR, Timmerman BN. Efficacy |
| supplements. It also was the most effective, | | | | and mechanism of action of turmeric supplements in |
| completely inhibiting the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | the treatment of experimental arthritis. Arthritis |
| Dr. Funk states that, "This was the first study that | | | | Rheum. 2006: 54 (11): 3452-3464). |
| has examined turmeric with the researchers' own | | | | Note: This story has been adapted from a news |
| prepared, well-defined extracts... the study represents | | | | release issued by University of Arizona Health |
| the first documentation of the chemical composition | | | | Sciences Center. |
| of a curcumin-containing extract tested in a living | | | | Author's note: This study is interesting from at least |
| organism... for anti-arthritic efficacy. It also provides | | | | three points of view. First, it confirms the |
| the first evidence of anti-arthritic efficacy of a | | | | effectiveness of an herbal supplement for adjunctive |
| complex turmeric extract that is analogous in | | | | treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and provides |
| composition to turmeric dietary supplements." | | | | information on a possible mode of action. Second, it |
| The significance, she explains, is that "translating the | | | | gives credence to the use of turmeric in standard |
| results of trials such as these to clinical use depends | | | | dietary supplement form for arthritis. Third, the bone |
| on accurate information about the chemical content | | | | loss inhibiting effect of turmeric is an important one |
| and biological activity of the botanical supplements | | | | given the magnitude of osteoporosis as a public |
| available for use. This work paves the way for the | | | | health issue. |
| preclinical and clinical trials needed before turmeric | | | | I, for one, am making reservations to my favorite |
| supplements can be recommended for medicinal use | | | | Indian restaurant as soon as I can. |
| in preventing or suppressing rheumatoid arthritis." | | | | |