Curcumin for bone health? Arjuna ingredient may relieve osteoarthritis-related pain

12 Jun 2019 --- Arjuna Naturals Ltd.’s curcumin formulation has been found to hold new possibilities for effectively managing symptoms associated with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. According to a new study, BCM-95 (Curcugreen) exhibited results similar to some of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) typically used for significantly reducing pain severity. Moreover, study participants incurred none of the gastric side effects that can be associated with the use of NSAIDs. This is the first study which has shown a link between curcumin therapy and osteoarthritic care and the researchers hope it will open new avenues in treatment.

Bone health and mobility are growing concerns among consumers and the space is seeing increased launch activity. OA of the knee can occur in people from the age of about 40. It can have a considerable restrictive impact on physical activity and is the fourth leading cause of disability. After age 60, an estimated 10-15 percent of all adults have some degree of OA. The increasing prevalence of OA has been attributed to an aging population and rising cases of obesity. Pain is commonly noted as the key symptom driving individuals to seek medical care.

The newly published, randomized, human clinical study was led by Dr. Dhaneshwar Shep at the City Care Accident Hospital, Parli Vaijnath, Maharashtra, India, and was published in the journal Trials in March. 

The study involved 139 participants suffering from knee osteoarthritis, who were given either 500mg BCM-95, Arjuna’s high-potency turmeric extract, three times daily, or 50 mg Volteran (diclofenac), twice daily for 28 days. 

After two weeks of treatment, participants who received BCM-95 reported reduced pain and relief in joint stiffness. Supplementation with the ingredient also demonstrated a secondary capacity to effect improvements in the daily functions of living, recreational sporting activity and overall quality of life, all at a level similar to that achieved through the NSAID control. 

Curcumin’s therapeutic functions are essentially credited to its well-documented ability to suppress several pro-inflammatory cytokines and their release mediators, according to Arjuna.

“BCM-95 curcumin could be a favorable alternative for people seeking relief from OA symptoms, especially those who are intolerant to the side effects of standard OTC drugs,” says Benny Antony, Ph.D., Joint Managing Director at Arjuna. 

The BCM-95 group also reported a significant reduction in episodes of flatulence (an unpleasant side effect common to some NSAIDs) and an anti-ulcerative effect of BCM-95 also was observed. 

None of the participants required heartburn drugs, such as the H2 blockers often prescribed alongside NSAIDs. Preclinical studies conducted on rats have previously demonstrated the gastroprotective properties of this anti-inflammatory polyphenolic compound used extensively in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.

“The beneficial results obtained in the study are highly likely due to the combination of curcuminoids and essential oil of turmeric present in our proprietary curcumin formulation with increased curcumin bioavailability,” explains Antony. “The permeability of curcumin is increased by the turmerone-rich essential oil complex, incurring a sevenfold enhancement of plasma curcumin levels, proven to yield statistically significant clinical benefits.”

Manufactured at Arjuna’s solar-powered plant, BCM-95 has a GRAS status by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirming its safety and assuring its status as a trusted, clean brand. BCM-95 has been the subject of more than 50 publications and is the subject of 50 patents, worldwide.

In April, Arjuna Natural received a new patent in Europe for its applied technology that improves the bioavailability of its BCM-95 (Curcugreen) ingredient formulation. The new patent enables Arjuna to further expand its hold in 20 additional countries across Western and Eastern Europe. 

The patented formulation provides biologically active curcumin with essential oil of turmeric. The 100 percent natural formulation is backed by more than 55 published studies worldwide and several ongoing studies for its therapeutic activity on multiple health indications. “The composition of BCM-95 (Curcugreen) contains only turmeric based components and no synthetic or non-turmeric ingredients,” Antony says.