Planta Med 2008; 74 - PH41
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084886

Turmeric reduces cardiovascular disease risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis

JB Frye 1, BN Timmermann 2, JL Funk 1
  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Box 24–5218, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
  • 2Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas. 4070 Malott Hall, 1251 Wescoe Hall Drive, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA

Endothelial cell dysfunction and elevated C reactive protein (CRP) are key risk factors associated with a high incidence of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) and early mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Having already demonstrated an anti-arthritic effect of turmeric extracts in an animal model of RA (streptococcal cell wall [SCW]-induced arthritis)[1,2], studies were undertaken to determine whether turmeric also lowers CVD risk in RA. To this end, [1] the in vitro ability of well-characterized turmeric extracts to prevent pro-atherogenic changes in the expression of key genes responsible for decreased vasodilation, increased leukocyte adhesion, and increased thrombosis in the RA vasculature was assessed in TNF-activated human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) using real time RT PCR, and [2] the in vivo effect of these same extracts on elevated serum levels of CRP was determined by ELISA in the SCW-induced arthritis model of RA. An essential oil-free fraction containing 41% by weight of the 3 major curcuminoids, a purified curcuminoid-only fraction (95%) and an essential oil-only fraction were compared. In HUVEC, both curcuminoid-containing samples inhibited TNF-stimulated expression of [1] the adhesion factors, E-selectin, ICAM and VCAM, and [2] tissue factor, a protein that initiates one arm of the coagulation cascade, while having no effect on expression of eNOS or thrombomodulin. The essential oil only fraction of turmeric had no effect on HUVEC gene expression. In complete contrast, serum levels of CRP were reduced by the essential oil fraction of turmeric in SCW-induced arthritis, while the curcuminoid-containing samples were without effect. In conclusion, these results suggest that turmeric may be cardioprotective in RA and that its various components (polyphenols vs. essential oils) may act by targeting different pathways.

References: 1. Funk, JL. et al (2006)J Nat Prod 69:351.

2. Funk, JL. et al (2006) Arth Rheum 54:3452.