Efficacy of Curcuma longa in osteoarthritis: Association of IL-1β, IL-10 and MMP-9 with severity of disease

Abstract

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressively debilitating immune mediated inflammatory disorder in which various biomarkers have been reportedly increased. This study was carried out to establish a correlation between IL-1β, IL-10 and MMP-9 in various grades of OA of knee and to observe the effect of Curcuma longa (CL-an indigenous drug) in such patients through a randomized, placebo controlled, double blind trial. After obtaining clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee, 160 patients of either sex aged between 40 to 80 years, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were enrolled and randomly divided in two groups. The grading of the disease was done according to Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading scale. Placebo and extract of CL were given along with the standard treatment to the two groups in blind manner. The assessment of the patients was done after two and four months. On day 0 the level of IL-1β, MMP-9 and IL-10 was found to be significantly higher in grade 3 and 4 patients as compared to grade 1 and 2 patients. After oral administration of CL extract there was significant clinical improvement (as compared to placebo) in all grades of patients as adjudged by WOMAC score and VAS. There was also significant decrease in levels of IL-1β and MMP-9 in parallel with the clinical improvement. Moreover, decline in the level of IL-10, after treatment with CL was not significant. It is concluded that IL-1β, MMP-9 and IL-10 have strong parallel association with severity of OA. Further, CL produced significant relief in the patients of OA of knee, when given along with standard treatment.