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Review
. 2022 Sep 22:14:1759720X221124545.
doi: 10.1177/1759720X221124545. eCollection 2022.

Potential complementary and/or synergistic effects of curcumin and boswellic acids for management of osteoarthritis

Affiliations
Review

Potential complementary and/or synergistic effects of curcumin and boswellic acids for management of osteoarthritis

Vidhu Sethi et al. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. .

Abstract

For several thousand years (~4000) Boswellia serrata and Curcuma longa have been used in Aryuvedic medicine for treatment of various illnesses, including asthma, peptic ulcers, and rheumatoid arthritis, all of which are mediated through pathways associated with inflammation and pain. Although the in vivo pharmacology of both these natural ingredients is difficult to study because of poor bioavailability, in vitro data suggest that both influence gene expression mediated through nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Therefore, the activity of pathways associated with inflammation (including NF-κB and lipoxygenase- and cyclooxygenase-mediated reduction in leukotrienes/prostaglandins) and those involved in matrix degradation and apoptosis are reduced, resulting in a reduction in pain. Additive activity of boswellic acids and curcumin was observed in preclinical models and synergism was suggested in clinical trials for the management of osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Overall, studies of these natural ingredients, alone or in combination, revealed that these extracts relieved pain from OA and other inflammatory conditions. This may present an opportunity to improve patient care by offering alternatives for patients and physicians, and potentially reducing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory or other pharmacologic agent use. Additional research is needed on the effects of curcumin on the microbiome and the influence of intestinal metabolism on the activity of curcuminoids to further enhance formulations to ensure sufficient anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity. This narrative review includes evidence from in vitro and preclinical studies, and clinical trials that have evaluated the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of curcumin and boswellic acids individually and in combination for the management of OA pain.

Keywords: Boswellia serrata; complementary and alternative medicine; curcuma longa; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); osteoarthritis (OA); pain management; phytotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: Manohar Garg has no relevant disclosures to report. Vidhu Sethi is an employee of Haleon. Maxime Herve was an employee of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare at the time this article was prepared and is now an employee of Sanofi. Ali Mobasheri is President of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International and has served as a member of the GlaxoSmithKline Naturals Advisory Board. He has no further disclosures to report.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Structure of (a) key curcuminoids and (b) boswellic acids.,
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Mechanism of action of curcumin and boswellic acids in osteoarthritis based on in vitro study data. 4EBP-1, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1; 5-LOX, 5-lipoxygenase; ADAMTS, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs; AKT, protein kinase B; COX, cyclooxygenase; CTX, carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen; IL, interleukin; iNOS, inducible nitrous oxide synthase; JNK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase; LTB, lymphotoxin-beta; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; mPGES-1, microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1; mTORC, mammalian _target of rapamycin complex; NF-κB, nuclear factor-kappa B; NO, nitrous oxide; PGH2, prostaglandin H2; PI3 K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; PIP3, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5 trisphosphate; RANKL, receptor activator of NFκB ligand; S6 K-1, ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor–alpha; TXA2, thromboxane A2; TXB2, thromboxane B2.

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