Zahra Rezaieyazdi - Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Afshin Sarraf - Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mandana khodashahi - Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Maryam Sahebari - Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Lida Jarahi - Dept. of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Hamid Reza Rahimi - Dept. of Modern Medical Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Shima Nabavi - Dept. of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Background and Objective: Incomprehensive studies have examined the therapeutic and side effects of curcumin on the treatment of debilitating diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). This study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin on RA. Materials and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was carried out on ۶۴ RA patients with an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)-Disease Activity Score (DAS)-۲۸>۲.۶. The patients were then randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. In addition to the routine treatment, the intervention group was treated with ۸۰-mg/day capsules of curcumin (nano-micelles). Further, the patients were followed up for three months, and clinical-laboratory examinations were recorded in this study. Results: There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding the trends of the disease activity indicators, including DAS-۲۸, disability index, physician assessment, and the number of tender joints (P>۰.۰۵). Further, a significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of pain score changes and the number of swollen joints. Additionally, the curcumin-treated subjects obtained lower mean pain and fewer swollen joints, compared to those in the control group (P<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: The present study revealed that curcumin had no significant therapeutic effects on reducing the activity of RA; however, no significant side effects were observed on the patients, and it also showed its analgesic effect well.

Curcumin, Disability, ESR-DAS-۲۸, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Clinical Trial, Anti-Inflammatory Effects