Efficacy and mechanisms of curcumin in the treatment of osteoarthritis: A scoping review

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that primarily affects the elderly worldwide. It is characterized by local inflammation, which can be targeted therapeutically using natural anti-inflammatory compounds such as curcumin. This scoping review explores the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of curcumin in OA management. A total of 50 relevant original studies published in English were selected from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using specific search strings, regardless of study type. These studies demonstrated curcumin’s anti-inflammatory, protective, and anti-apoptotic effects on chondrocytes. Curcumin has been shown to stimulate chondrocyte proliferation and collagen production while inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase activity. These mechanisms contribute to curcumin's ability to alleviate pain and improve joint function in OA patients. While the findings highlight curcumin’s potential in OA management, further research is needed to enhance its bioavailability and determine optimal formulations, dosages, and administration routes.