Curcumin alleviates osteoarthritis in mice by suppressing osteoclastogenesis in subchondral bone via inhibiting NF-κB/JNK signaling pathway

Intra-articular metformin-curcumin cationic PLGA nanoparticles rejuvenate articular structure in MIA induced osteoarthritis model via modulating the crosstalk between miR93, TNFAIP3/TLR/NF-κB and AMPK/SIRT1 trajectories

Osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative bone disease, restrains patient's productivity and quality of life. Herein, the potential of uncoated and hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated cationic - PLGA (cPL) nanoparticles loaded with metformin (MT) and curcumin (Cu) was investigated for IA administration for the first time. Optimized MT-Cu-cPL2 showed particle size 266.2 ± 2.35 nm, zeta potential +13.6 ± 0.6 mV; entrapment efficiency of 42.56 % ± 0.04 and 93.65 % ± 0.017 for MT and Cu, respectively. Optimized HA-MT-Cu-cPL4 displayed particle size 254.1 ± 3.96 nm, zeta potential -21.6 ± 0.4 mV; and entrapment efficiency of 71.4 % ± 1.06 and 93.2 % ± 0.93 for MT and Cu, respectively. HA-MT-Cu-cPL4 demonstrated a sustained release of MT and Cu over 24 h and stability over 3-months at 4 °C. The IA administration of MT-Cu-cPL2 and HA-MT-Cu-cPL4 to MIA-induced OA rats revealed their significant antiarthritic potential. Treatment with HA-MT-Cu-cPL4 showed the most significant repression of OA advancement due to enhancement of miR-93 and TNFAIP3 knee tissue expression levels that have been correlated to upregulation of AMPK/SIRT1 activity and downstream inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. The optimized nano-formulations also exhibited anti-edematous, anti-nociceptive, and locomotor-enhancing activity, highlighting the IA MT-Cu combinational therapy as a prosperous approach for management of OA.

A Nutritional Supplement Containing Curcumin C3 Complex, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin Alleviates Osteoarthritis in Mice and Canines

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronically progressive degenerative arthropathy characterized by the loss of cartilage, changes in subchondral architecture, and ongoing inflammation resulting in reduced mobility and pain. This study assessed the treatment potential of a combination of chondroitin and glucosamine enriched with Curcumin C3 Complex (C3GC) in modulating the pathophysiological features in mouse models with surgically induced OA and in dogs with naturally occurring OA. A cohort of 24 male C57BL/6 mice aged 3 months old were surgically destabilized with medial meniscus (DMM) to cause osteoarthritis. These animals underwent a nutritional intervention with C3GC or with GC over a course of 8 weeks. In order to evaluate cartilage health and subchondral bone structure, we carried out a combination of behavioral tests, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and histopathological examinations. In addition, a cohort of 12 OA-diagnosed retired police dogs were administered C3GC supplements or conventional care over a course of 30 days, with pain measurement and serum concentrations of MMP-3 and TNF-α determined before and after treatment. According to our findings, the administration of C3GC was determined to preserve subchondral microarchitectural structure integrity (p < 0.05) and resulted in better motor function in comparison with GC. In animals taking nutritional supplements, the OARSI scores of joint tissue sections were reduced, with the medial tibial plateau OARSI score being particularly low in the C3GC group (p < 0.0001). In dogs, treatment with C3GC resulted in a 24.5% reduction in serum MMP-3 levels (p < 0.01), and there was also a 20.8% decrease in serum TNF-α levels (p < 0.05), along with a decrease in subjective pain assessment. The results are in support of the chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties of C3GC and justify future research on the potential utility of C3GC in treating osteoarthritis.

Therapeutic prospects and potential mechanisms of Prdx6: as a novel target in musculoskeletal disorders

With the global population aging, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have posed significant physical and psychological health challenges for patients as well as a substantial economic burden on society. The advancements in conservative and surgical interventions for MSDs have been remarkable in recent years; however, the current treatment modalities still fall short of meeting the optimal requirements of patients. Recently, peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) has gained considerable attention from researchers due to its remarkable antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. It has been found that Prdx6 is involved in multiple system diseases, including MSDs; however, the exact role of Prdx6 in MSDs is still lacking. This study aimed to summarize the structure, regulatory mechanism, and potential function of Prdx6. These findings may demonstrate Prdx6 as a novel target for inhibiting the advancement of MSDs.

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

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.

Mechanism of action and new developments in the study of curcumin in the treatment of osteoarthritis: a narrative review

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects the aging population worldwide. It has an underlying inflammatory cause that leads to loss of chondrocytes, reducing the cartilage layer at the affected joints. Compounds with anti-inflammatory properties are potential therapeutic agents for osteoarthritis. Curcumin, derived from species of the Curcuma, is an anti-inflammatory compound. The purpose of this review is to summarize the anti-osteoarthritic effects of curcumin from clinical and preclinical studies. Many clinical trials have been conducted to determine curcumin's effectiveness in osteoarthritis patients. Available studies have shown that curcumin prevents chondrocyte apoptosis and inhibits the release of proteoglycans and metalloproteinases as well as the expression of cyclooxygenase, prostaglandin E-2, and inflammatory cytokines in chondrocytes. The mechanism of action of curcumin also involves multiple cell signaling pathways, including Nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB), Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt/β-catenin pathway (Wnt/β-catenin), The Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3), Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response elements/heme oxygenase-1(Nrf2/ARE/HO-1), and Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) signaling pathways. Curcumin further reduced the release of inflammatory factors and apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB. In addition, curcumin modulates the MAPK, Nrf2/ARE/HO-1, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways and affects cell proliferation and apoptosis processes, a series of effects that together promote the healthy state of chondrocytes. In conclusion, curcumin, as a natural plant compound, exhibits significant anti-inflammatory potential by modulating inflammatory factors associated with articular osteoarthritis through multiple mechanisms. Its protective effects on articular cartilage and synovium make it a promising candidate for the treatment of OA. Future studies should further explore the mechanism of action of curcumin and its optimal dosage and therapeutic regimen in clinical applications, to provide more effective therapeutic options for osteoarthritis patients.