This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study has been conducted in 101 patients with knee osteoarthritis. They received 100 mg of standardized curcumin extract (Curcugen®) or a placebo for 8 weeks.

This supplementation significantly reduced the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for pain (p = 0.009) and numeric knee pain ratings (p = 0.001). Curcumin was also associated with greater improvements (p ≤ 0.05) than the placebo on the timed up-and-go test, 6-min walk test, and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score for Osteoarthritic Knees total score. A reduction in the consumption of pain-relieving medication has also been noted. This study demonstrates therefore that curcumin is effective to reduce pain in subjects with knee osteoarthritis.

Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Jackson-Michel S, Fairchild T. An Investigation into the Effects of a Curcumin Extract (Curcugen®) on Osteoarthritis Pain of the Knee: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 23;14(1):41.