Beyond Seasoning-The Role of Herbs and Spices in Rheumatic Diseases

The Multifaceted Role of the Polyphenol Curcumin: A Focus on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which often co-exists with other metabolic impairments. This condition can damage various tissues and organs, resulting in the development of severe complications, both microvascular, such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, and macrovascular, responsible for an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Curcumin is the main bioactive molecule found in the rhizomes of turmeric. Many studies have reported curcumin to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, and anti-cancer properties; thus, there is an increasing interest in exploiting these properties in order to prevent the rise or the progression of T2DM, as well as its possible associated conditions. In this review, we have presented the current state-ofart regarding the clinical trials that have involved curcumin administration and analyzed the possible mechanisms by which curcumin might exert the beneficial effects observed in literature.

Immunomodulatory effects of novel nano micelle based curcumin in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial

Background and Objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a well-known systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease. This investigation aimed to assess the effects of Sina-curcumin, a novel nano micelle-based curcumin, on immune system responses of RA patients.

Methods

This pilot study is a randomized double blinded, controlled trial. Patients who fulfilled the European League against Rheumatism-American College of Rheumatology (EULAR-ACR) criteria for RA were assigned to receive curcumin or placebo for 12 weeks. The outcomes of this study were comparison of changes in mean value of Disease Activity Score of 28 joints erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), frequency of T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells population.

Results

From 150 RA patients who were assessed for eligibility, data from 30 patients (15 patients in each group) were analyzed. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding age (P = 0.6441) and body mass index (BMI, P = 0.6016). Our measurement showed a statistically significant reduction in ESR (P < 0.0001), CRP (P < 0.0001) and a non-significant decrease in DAS28-ESR (P = 0.5125) in the curcumin group. Also, the Th1/Th2 ratio favorably decreased in the curcumin group. This finding was due to a significant increase in Th2 cells (P < 0.0001) and a nonsignificant decrease in Th1 cells (P = 0.1532).

Conclusion

Our trial findings revealed the immunomodulatory effects of curcumin. It could be used and recommended as adjunctive treatment for RA patients.