ROLE OF CURCUMIN IN THE PREVENTION OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disorder characterized by loss of cartilage and its underlying bone as well as the formation of osteophytes. Obesity serves as one of the major risk factors for osteoarthritis. The present study was aimed to investigate the role of curcumin in preventing obesity which in turn prevents osteoarthritis. Female rats were divided into 4 groups each containing 6 animals. Group I was considered as a control in which animals were fed with a normal/standard diet. Group II animals were fed with high-fat diet (Monosodium glutamate 4mg/g). Group III animals were fed with normal/standard diet along with curcumin (200mg/Kg) and group IV animals were fed with high-fat diet (monosodium glutamate 4mg/g) along with curcumin (200mg/Kg) for 28 days. Parameters like body weight, serum High-density lipids (HDL), low-density lipids (LDL), very low-density lipids (VLDL), triglycerides and cholesterol were estimated. The data of our study shows that the animals which were fed with curcumin have less percentage of weight gain when compared to the animals which were fed with high-fat diet. Serum HDL was found to be higher in group II animals when compared to group I and higher in group IV when compared to group III. Other parameters like serum LDL, VLDL, cholesterol, triglycerides were higher in animals fed with high-fat diet group III when compared to all other groups. It demonstrates that curcumin, when included in diet, has a role in preventing obesity and thereby reduces the risk of osteoarthritis.