Curcumin-free extract shows benefits for arthritis sufferers, clinical study

Feb. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- Turmacin, a novel extract of Curcuma longa, is devoid of curcuminoids. Natural Remedies Private Limited, the manufacturer of Turmacin, recently declared the publication of its first clinical study on Turmacin. The study titled “Safety and efficacy of Curcuma longa extract (NR-INF-02) in the treatment of painful knee osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo controlled trial”, was published in Inflammopharmacology (http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10787-012-0163-3), an international journal that concentrates on the mechanisms of action and the use of anti-inflammatory agents.

The anti-inflammatory activity of curcuminoids from turmeric is well known. However, its polysaccharide fraction has not been evaluated till date. Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd., a leading supplier of standardized botanical extracts, recently developed a polysaccharide rich extract, named Turmacin. In order to evaluate safety and efficacy of this extract (NR-INF-02) in the treatment of painful knee osteoarthritis (OA), researchers from St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore conducted a randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial.

In this study, safety and efficacy of Turmacin was investigated in comparison with placebo, glucosamine sulphate alone and combination of Turmacin with glucosamine sulphate (GS). The results showed a significant decrease in use of rescue medication, along with clinical and subjective improvement compared to placebo over a period of 42 days. The researchers have assessed the results using internationally validated methods, viz. VAS, WOMAC, and CGIC. This study effectively demonstrated the efficacy of Turmacin for overall joint health as assessed by joint crepitation (37%), joint tenderness (86.2%), joint effusion (100%) and joint movement (83.3%). A reduced intake of rescue medication (Paracetamol) demonstrated its analgesic potential. This is probably the first report on use of polysaccharides of turmeric for joint health. Turmacin™ being a water-soluble ingredient has better bioavailability than curcuminoids.

Turmacin™, standardized to >10 % w/w total polysaccharides and is available in water soluble powder form making it suitable for addition to foods, soft drinks / beverages, apart from dietary supplements, to gain its beneficial effects. For more details please contact info@naturalremedy.com.