The investigators demonstrated that curcumin, which also provides spice turmeric the hallmark vibrant yellow coloring, may be used as a tendonitis treatment by suppressing biological mechanisms which ignite inflammation in tendon conditions.
Researcher Dr Ali Mobasheri said: “Our study isn’t suggesting that curry, turmeric or curcumin are cures for inflammatory conditions like tendonitis and arthritis. However, we believe that it may present researchers a significant new lead as a tendonitis treatment and in the treatment of other painful ailments by means of nutrition. Additional research into curcumin, and chemically-modified versions of it, ought to be the subject of future research and complementary therapies geared towards decreasing the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, the only drug treatments currently available for tendonitis treatment and different types of arthritis. “
Tendons, the tough cords of fibrous connective tissue which join muscle tissue to our bones, are necessary for motion because they shift the force of muscle contraction to our bones. However, there’re susceptible to injury, especially in athletes that could overstretch themselves and overuse their joints. Tendonitis is a kind of tendon inflammation that causes pain as well as tenderness close to joints and is particularly prevalent in shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, heels as well as wrists. Some other types of typical tendon conditions include tennis and golfer’s elbow as well as Achilles tendonitis.
The only tendonitis treatment is to alleviate pain and lessen inflammation and the only medications that are useful in managing tendonitis tend to be non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS), like aspirin or ibuprofen. In more severe instances of tendon injuries, steroid shots may be given straight in to the tendon sheath to manage pain and allow physical therapy to begin.
However, NSAIDS and steroids tend to be linked to undesirable side effects such as abdominal ulcers, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, head ache, diarrhea, constipation, drowsiness and fatigue. Therefore, there is a serious requirement for new tendonitis treatment options with less debilitating side effects.
This most recent study centers on curcumin, a key ingredient in the spice turmeric that has been made use of for centuries in traditional Indian or ‘Ayurvedic’ medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent and remedy with regard to symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome and other ailments.
More recently, research has linked curcumin to potential uses in managing arthritis as well as various rheumatic diseases and, potentially, even as an agent to destroy cancer cells.
The current research utilized a culture model of human tendon inflammation to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin on tendon cells.
The results demonstrated that adding curcumin in the culture system suppresses NF-kB and stops it from switching on and promoting additional inflammation, suggesting a potential tendonitis treatment.
Reference for: Study Shows Curry Spice to be Potential Tendonitis Treatment
