Analgesic effect of curcumin topical formulation in knee osteoarthritis patients: a clinical trial

The aim of this study was to recognize the efficacy and safety of curcumin ointment on patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) compare to diclofenac as standard medication.The topical effects of curcumin (10%) and diclofenac (1%) ointments were assessed through the visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis (WOMAC) index after three times a day administration for two weeks in 60 patients.Desirable effects compared to the pre-treatment period were observed after two weeks of continuous treatment. Based on our results, VAS and WOMAC index were altered after treatment significantly (p<0.0001).Two-week use of curcumin ointment could ameliorate the pain, stiffness and function disability in patients with OA.