The use of Curcuma longa and its Derivatives in the Treatment of Osteorthritis: A Scoping Review

Osteoarthritis is considered a degenerative disease, with knee and hip osteoarthritis being the most common form. Drug treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms with analgesics and non-selective or selective NSAIDs. Curcuma longa is a species used in Ayurvedic medicine without treating inflammatory conditions. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify and examine the evidence related to the effects of using C. longa in the treatment of osteoarthritis and the possible benefits in relation to treatment with NSAIDs. This research was conducted using an approach proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, the JBI Scope Review Methodology Handbook, and the PRISMA-ScR Guidelines and Checklist. Four studies meet the inclusion criteria, three were obtained as trials randomized clinical trials and the fourth study is a pilot clinical trial. The evidence raised shows that treatment with C. longa can reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis with less potential to cause adverse events. However, the methodological quality of the included studies and the sample size do not allow definitive selections to be taken. These limitations indicate the need to carry out randomized clinical trials of high methodological quality, following CONSORT guidelines to confirm the efficacy of C. longa in the treatment of osteoarthritis and its benefits over conventional treatments.