Turmeric extract eases osteoarthritis pain in mouse study: Natural Remedies trial

A turmeric extract containing bioactive polysaccharides termed ‘turmerosaccharides’, and only a negligible amount of curcuminoids, has been found to ease osteoarthritis pain in a mouse study.

The trial was undertaken by researchers in Bengalaru who work for Natural Remedies – the company which markets the product as Turmacin.

Writing in Pharmacognosy Magazine, the researchers said they assessed the impact of the product on an animal models of osteoarthritis pain.

In addition to contro groups, the mice were supplemented with the turmerosaccharides rich fraction at 22.5, 45, and 90 mg/kg dose levels, while others received the turmerosaccharides less fraction at 22.5, 45, and 90 mg/kg dose levels. Another group received the painkiller Tramadol.

The researchers found the turmerosaccharides rich fraction showed superior activity on pain when compared to the turmerosaccharides less fraction 

Furthermore, the “turmerosaccharides rich fraction at 45 and 90 mg/kg has similar effects on OA pain as that of Tramadol.”

Analgesic activity

They added: “We also observed that 57% of analgesic activity was exhibited by turmerosaccharides rich fraction while turmerosaccharides less fraction produced 35% of analgesic activity. Thus, the current study findings indicate that turmerosaccharides are the major phytoactives that contribute to the analgesic activity of NR-INF-02 [the turmerosaccharides rich fraction].”

The paper concluded that the mechanism of action for turmerosaccharides at molecular level were yet to be explored, but stated “the current study demonstrated that turmerosaccharides rich fraction attenuated oesteoarthritis pain.”

“Thus, the study findings suggest that turmerosaccharides remain the major phytochemical actives of [turmeric] in decreasing oesteoarthritis pain

Source: Pharmacognosy Magazine

DOI: 10.4103/pm.pm_465_16

"Bioactive turmerosaccharides from Curcuma longa Extract (NR-INF-02): Potential ameliorating effect on osteoarthritis pain."

Authors: Chandrasekaran Chinampudur Velusami, et al.