Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of Curcuma longa (turmeric) versus Zingiber officinale (ginger) rhizomes in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis

Inflammation. 2011 Aug;34(4):291-301. doi: 10.1007/s10753-010-9278-0.

Abstract

Turmeric (rich in curcuminoids) and ginger (rich in gingerols and shogaols) rhizomes have been widely used as dietary spices and to treat different diseases in Ayurveda/Chinese medicine since antiquity. Here, we compared the anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant activity of these two plants in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). Both plants (at dose 200 mg/kg body weight) significantly suppressed (but with different degrees) the incidence and severity of arthritis by increasing/decreasing the production of anti-inflammatory/pro-inflammatory cytokines, respectively, and activating the anti-oxidant defence system. The anti-arthritic activity of turmeric exceeded that of ginger and indomethacin (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), especially when the treatment started from the day of arthritis induction. The percentage of disease recovery was 4.6-8.3% and 10.2% more in turmeric compared with ginger and indomethacin (P < 0.05), respectively. The present study proves the anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant activity of turmeric over ginger and indomethacin, which may have beneficial effects against rheumatoid arthritis onset/progression as shown in AIA rat model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Experimental / chemically induced
  • Arthritis, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Curcuma / chemistry*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Indomethacin / pharmacology*
  • Indomethacin / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Rhizome / chemistry*
  • Zingiber officinale / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antioxidants
  • Cytokines
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Indomethacin