Investigation of the effect of Curcumin on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Arthritic Rats

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by joint swelling, synovial inflammation and joint destruction. Curcumin (diferuolymethane) is the most active component of Curcuma longa L. Several clinical trials have indicated curcumin to be a notable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound. Therefore the aim of this study is investigating the effects of curcumin on levels of inflammation and inflammatory biomarkers in arthritic rats.
Arthritis was induced by subcutaneous injection of Freund’s complete adjuvant (0.5 mL) into the right hind paw of Wistar male rats. Animals were divided into four groups (n=8). GroupI acted as control, group II arthritic rats received vehicle, group III arthritic rats were treated with curcumin (30 mg/kg, orally) and another group arthritic rats were treated with indomethacin (3 mg/kg, orally) seven days after injection of Freund’s Complete Adjuvant for 15 days. The changes caused by chronic inflammation were evaluated by measurement of the ankle circumference three times per week. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture to determine erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C.reactive protein levels and White blood cells count.
An increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C. reactive protein concentrations, White blood cells count and ankle circumference was observed in arthritic rats compared with control rats (p<0.05). Curcumin significantly decreased inflammation and inflammatory biomarkers in arthritic rats (p<0.05).These results suggest that curcumin can possess beneficial effects in alleviating arthritic symptoms in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis model.