Curcumin in turmeric: Basic and clinical evidence for a potential role in analgesia

Summary What is known and objective Current analgesic pharmacotherapy—opioids, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen (paracetamol) and related drugs—is effective for acute pain, but their use is limited by adverse effects on the renal, hepatic, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal systems, or they have potential for abuse. Therefore, alternative options are desired. Compounds used in traditional medicine might offer such alternatives, but the evidence must be based on pharmacologic properties and on clinical trial data. This review summarizes the evidence for one of these: the analgesic properties of turmeric and other curcumins. Methods The PubMed database and other sources were searched using keywords related to turmeric, curcumin, antinociception and analgesia. Primary sources and reviews of preclinical and clinical studies were identified, assessed and summarized. Bibliographies within these sources provided additional information. Results Turmeric has consistently been demonstrated to produce analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects in animal models and in clinical trials, and appears to have less serious adverse effects than many current analgesics. What is new and conclusions Turmeric (curcumin) appears to be a possible candidate for consideration for use as a stand‐alone analgesic, or in analgesic combinations as part of opioid‐, NSAID‐ or paracetamol (acetaminophen)‐sparing strategies. Preclinical and clinical data suggest that turmeric (curcumin) might be a candidate for consideration for use as a stand‐alone analgesic, or in analgesic combinations as part of opioid‐, NSAID‐ or paracetamol (acetaminophen)‐sparing strategies.