Bioavailability-Enhanced Curcumin (CurcuBoost®) as Adjunct Therapy Improves Symptoms in Knee Osteoarthritis: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the bioavailability‐enhanced curcumin formulation CurcuBoost® as an adjunct to standard of care (SOC) in subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods In this randomized, open‐label, parallel‐group trial, adults aged 40‐75 years with radiographically confirmed knee OA (Kellgren‐Lawrence grade II‐III) were randomized (1:1) to receive CurcuBoost® 500 mg once daily + SOC or SOC alone for eight weeks. Analyses were conducted in the modified intention‐to‐treat (mITT) population. Results All 50 participants completed the study. At week 8, CurcuBoost® + SOC resulted in significantly greater reductions in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain compared with SOC alone (mean ± SD: 4.68 ± 1.65 vs 7.40 ± 2.18; p < 0.0001), corresponding to a 65.2% versus 44.0% reduction from baseline. Significant improvements favoring CurcuBoost® were also observed in WOMAC physical function (‐59.1% vs ‐38.9%; p < 0.0001), WOMAC total score (‐59.9% vs ‐40.7%; p < 0.0001), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score (‐61.5% vs ‐39.5%; p < 0.0001). Outcome Measures in Rheumatology‐Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OMERACT‐OARSI) responder rates at week 8 were higher with CurcuBoost® (80% (n = 20) vs 48% (n = 12); p = 0.0184). Improvements in the EuroQol 5‐Dimension questionnaire (EQ‐5D) and global assessments were also significantly greater (all p < 0.01) in the CurcuBoost® + SOC group. No treatment‐related serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported. Conclusion CurcuBoost® as an adjunct to SOC significantly improved pain, function, and quality of life in knee OA with a favorable safety profile, supporting its role as an effective complementary therapeutic option.