Effect of curcumin on rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #curcumin #arthritis-rheumatoid #rheumatoid-factor #inflammation

Effect of curcumin on rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Kou et al., 2023 | Front Immunol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Kou Haiyang, Huang Lei, ... Ma Jianbing. Effect of curcumin on rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Immunol. 2023;14:1121655. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121655

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of curcumin in rheumatoid arthritis patients. METHODS: A computerized search from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases was performed until 3 March 2023. Literature screening, basic data extraction and risk of bias evaluation were independently performed by two researchers each. The quality evaluation of the literature was performed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Risk of Bias Assessment tool for treatment evaluation. RESULTS: The current study includes six publications covering 539 rheumatoid arthritis patients. The activity of rheumatoid arthritis was assessed using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), protein, disease activity score (DAS), rheumatoid factor (RF), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain, tender joint count (TJC) and swollen joint count (SJC). ESR (MD = -29.47, 95% CI [-54.05, -4.88], Z=2.35, P = 0.02), DAS28 (MD = -1.20, 95% CI [-1.85, -0.55], Z=3.62, P = 0.0003), SJC (MD = -5.33, 95% CI [-9.90, -0.76], Z = 2.29, P = 0.02) and TJC (MD = -6.33, 95% CI [-10.86, -1.81], Z = 2.74, P = 0.006) showed significantly change in experimental patients compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Curcumin is beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Inflammation levels and clinical symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be improved by curcumin supplementation. Large sample randomized controlled trials on the effects of curcumin on patients with rheumatoid arthritis are needed in the future. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier (CRD42022361992).

Key Findings

The current study includes six publications covering 539 rheumatoid arthritis patients. The activity of rheumatoid arthritis was assessed using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), protein, disease activity score (DAS), rheumatoid factor (RF), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain, tender joint count (TJC) and swollen joint count (SJC). ESR (MD = -29.47, 95% CI [-54.05, -4.88], Z=2.35, P = 0.02), DAS28 (MD = -1.20, 95% CI [-1.85, -0.55], Z=3.62, P = 0.0003), SJC (MD = -5.33

Outcomes Measured

  • C-reactive protein

Population

Field Value
Population rheumatoid arthritis can be
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition inflammation

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Curcumin
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid
  • Rheumatoid Factor
  • Inflammation
  • C-Reactive Protein

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: curcumin-inflammation

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09