Efficacy of curcumin on inflammatory pain across different disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Aim: to evaluate randomized controlled trials and perform a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of curcumin on inflammatory pain in different disorders, in comparison to placebo and traditional pain treatments (NSAIDs and glucosamine plus chondroitin). Method and design: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT). Data sources: Pubmed and Cochrane library were searched for relevant RCTs from January 1999 to July 2021. Reference lists were manually checked. Selection criteria: published RCTs comparing curcumin to placebo or other treatment modalities in adults with different pain disorders were eligible for inclusion. Data collection and criteria: the studies were selected, and their quality was assessed by two review authors. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to analyze the continuous outcome using a random effect model. Results: In all the 15 studies included 1475 subjects. Curcumin was found to be superior in controlling pain against placebo. Moreover, curcumin demonstrated a superior effect in controlling osteoarthritic pain when compared to Glucosamine and Chondroitin combination. However, Curcumin was found to be similarly effective to NSAIDs in controlling pain. Conclusions: Curcumin was found superior in pain relief against placebo and combination of glucosamine and chondroitin. In addition, it demonstrated equal efficacy in relieving osteoarthritic pain, when compared to NSAIDs. Key words: curcumin, inflammatory pain, osteoarthritis, NSAIDs, VAS, MOMAC, meta-analysis, Dysmenorrhea, post-surgical pain.