Study: Can turmeric and Indian frankincense relieve acute pain in the musculoskeletal system?

Reference

Rudrappa GH, Murthy M, Saklecha S, Kumar Kare S, Gupta A, Basu I. Fast pain relief for acute muscle-skeletal pain caused by turmeric boswellia formulation: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, multicenter study. Medicine . 2022; 101 (35): E30144.

Study goal

to determine whether the nutritional supplement with the plant extracts curcumin and boswellia can be used for acute pain relief for diseases of the musculoskeletal system

Key to take away

A turmeric and boswellia dietary supplements effectively reduced the pain intensity and relieved acute pain in the musculoskeletal system.

Design

double -blind, randomized and placebo -controlled model, carried out in several centers.

participant

232 healthy participants (aged 18 to 65) took part in the study who suffered from acute muscle skeleton injury. The randomization took place in a ratio of 1: 1 between men and women.

The inclusion criteria consisted of the following injuries that were diagnosed within 24 hours of the start of the course (all of them did not require a hospital stay): "Stress-related muscle-sized injuries, myalgia, neck pain, pain in the limb, pain in the lower back area, joint pain, extensive pain of the movement apparatus, painful, uncomplicated, Acute, soft injuries. " Tissue injury of the upper or lower extremity, including acute injuries to ribbons, tendons or muscles (including a sprain or strain or strain 1). “

Interventions

The researchers assessed the pain intensity every 30 minutes over a period of 6 hours after oral administration of a single dose, either the intervention or placebo. The three states were during the 6 hours: rest, movement or pressure.

The intervention group received two 500 mg soft gels, each contained curcuminoids (266 mg) and acetylketo-boswelliasic acid (10 mg) on ​​a sesame oil basis (Rhuleave-K ™). The placebo capsules consisted of maltodextrin based on polysorbate-80, propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol-400.

studies parameter

The researchers used several pain scales for Assessment. They received data using the NRS (numerical pain assessment scale), PRS (pain relief scale) and MPQ (short form of the MCGill Pain Questionnaire). The beginning of the analgesia measured with stopwatches.

primary result

Changes in the "difference in pain" 6 hours after intervention/placebo in peace

most important findings

NRS in the turmeric boswellia (tbf) group showed a significant improvement compared to placebo after 6 hours. The area under the curve (AUC) was different:

• 95.39 % in the idle state ( p ≤0,0001)
• 93.52 % with movement ( p ≤0,0001)
• 93.28 % with pressure ( p ≤0,0001)

start of analgesia

• Noticeable pain relief (PPR): 99.1 % in the TBF group had a relief compared to 10.4 % in the placebo group ( p . 0001).

• Significant pain relief (MPR): 95.7 % experienced a relief in the TBF group compared to 1.7 % in the placebo group ( p = 0.0001).

PRS scale

• The complete pain relief after 6 hours (Totpar6) in peace, in the event of movement and pressure all showed a significant improvement with TBF ( p = 0.0001).

• limited time up to maximum pain relief: 194 minutes in peace, 197.7 in movement, 194.2 minutes in pressure ( p = 0.0001 for each)
  

McGill pain questionnaire

• significant reduction in affective, sensory and entire domains compared to the values ​​before and after treatment ( p = 0.0001)

transparency

Arjuna Natural Private LTD from India provided the Rhuleave-K ™ capsules and a placebo.

Effects and restrictions for practice

boswellia tree resin extract, also known as Indian frankincense, and turmeric have been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Both vegetable drugs are advertised for the rejuvenation of the joints and for their many other anti -inflammatory health benefits. They can be taken orally used or used topically. Curcumin, one of the active ingredients in turmeric, demonstrably relieves obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, depression and fatty liver diseases.

In recent years turmeric and boswellia dietary supplements have become popular to relieve chronic pain and symptoms, especially because of their reliable anti -inflammatory effect. The implications for acut applications are, however, less well investigated, ^{1 it was, especially in the event of injury, pain To give the musculoskeletal system.}

recent research shows a possible synergistic effect between turmeric and Boswellia in the treatment of inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis.

turmeric (and its active ingredient curcumin) is widely known for its anti -inflammatory effect. Fewer studies focus on boswellia , as it is less available and less popular than turmeric. However, investigations have shown that long -term use of boswellia for patients with arthrosis is safe and effective. ^{2 Recent research shows a possible synergistic effect between turmeric and boswellia for the treatment of inflammation and pain in arthrosis.}

The study discussed here was placebo -controlled, randomized and dual -blind and was carried out by researchers at several centers in India. The design, intervention and randomization used well -used processes. The study uses several pain scales to obtain a variety of data points, which leads to a stricter conclusion. However, it should be noted that the data collected is subjective. The researchers did not collect objective measurements such as functional changes (improved activity level or improved scope of movement of the affected joint). There was no comparison to a over -the -counter analgesic, for example a non -steroidal anti -phlogistics (NSAID), or other prescription medication.

In the study, a product called Rhuleave-K ™ was used by Arjuna Natural Private Ltd. was developed and manufactured in India. Extraction of the turmeric rhizomes and boswellia serrata rubber resin used a proprietary technology. It is not known whether this technology is used by other companies.

Earlier randomized control studies have the effectiveness of other curcumin and boswellia formulations for pain relief with less gastrointestinal side effects than NSAIDS. 4 The dosage was selected for the healthy participants of this special study, dose adaptations for special groups like older people or However, people with liver or kidney dysfunction were not mentioned. Turmeric is generally considered safe in a dose of 500 mg twice a day.

In the study, no side effects were reported under which the participants might have suffered. A literature search showed that excessive taking curcumin can have different negative effects, among other things on the liver, the kidney, the heart system, the blood and the immune system. ^{6 Although these side effects are rare and mostly occur when taking excessive, they must be taken into account. The researchers also did not discuss the bioavailability and absorption that could be taken into account outside the context of this study.}

as an intervention in acute muscle skeletal pain in urgent situations A turmeric and boswellia complement looks promising. The effects are great because there is the possibility to avoid opioids or NSAIDs that have a more dangerous security profile in high -riskopopulations. Further studies are required to determine the effectiveness outside of healthy population groups and examine side effects before clinical conclusions can be drawn.