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Herbs and plants

Turmeric stronger than ibuprofen?

Sources: 6 · Article: 9 269 characters

Henryk Różański says that curcumin inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, but this does not mean that turmeric is stronger than ibuprofen.

  • He also writes that turmeric extract has anti-inflammatory effects, and that turmeric inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and acts as a lipoxygenase inhibitor.
  • Gallic acid enhances ibuprofen’s anti-inflammatory effects and is described as synergistic with curcumin and turmeric, but this does not prove that turmeric is superior to ibuprofen.

What the authors write

Henryk Różański

Turmeric extract has anti-inflammatory effects.

„It also has antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects against Gram-negative bacteria. It prevents bile stagnation and the formation of gallstones, and restores normal gallbladder contractility. It stimulates the secretion of pancreatic juice and has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects in the bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract.[1] Curcuminoids – structural formulas.”Dodatkowo działa rozkurczowo, przeciwzapalnie, antyoksydacyjnie, antybakteryjnie wobec bakterii Gram-ujemnych. Zapobiega zastojom żółci i tworzeniu się kamieni żółciowych, przywraca prawidłową kurczliwość pęcherzyka żółciowego. Pobudza wydzielanie soku trzustkowego i działa przeciwzapalnie oraz bakteriobójczo w obrębie dróg żółciowych oraz przewodu pokarmowego.[1] Kurkuminoidy – wzory strukturalne.
Wyciąg z kurkumy w praktycznej fitoterapii.
Henryk Różański

Turmeric inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and acts as a lipoxygenase inhibitor.

„Turmeric inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and is a lipoxygenase inhibitor. It is a natural hypolipidemic agent. It prevents the growth of the following microorganisms (bacteria and fungi): Corynebacterium diphtheriae, beta-hemolytic streptococci, Microoccus pyogenous var aureus, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Clostridium perfringens (at a concentration of 0.05%), Klebsiella aerogenes, Sclerotium solfsii, Fusarium moniliforme, Helminthosporium sacchari, Physalospora tucumanesis, Aspergillus niger.”Ostryż hamuje syntezę prostaglandyn i jest inhibitorem lipooksygenazy. Stanowi naturalny czynnik hipolipolidyczny. Powstrzymuje rozwój następujących mikroorganizmów (bakterie i grzyby): Corynebacterium diphtheriae, beta-hemolytic streptococci, Microoccus pyogenous var aureus, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Clostridium perfringens (w stężeniu 0,05%), Klebsiella aerogenes, Sclerotium solfsii, Fusarium moniliforme, Helminthosporium sacchari, Physalospora tucumanesis, Aspergillus niger.
Wyciąg z kurkumy w praktycznej fitoterapii.
Henryk Różański

Curcumin inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and acts as a lipoxygenase inhibitor.

„It inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and is a lipoxygenase inhibitor. It is a natural hypolipidemic agent. It prevents the growth of the following microorganisms (bacteria and fungi): Corynebacterium diphtheriae, beta-hemolytic streptococci, Microoccus pyogenous var aureus, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Clostridium perfringens (at a concentration of 0.05%), Klebsiella aerogenes, Sclerotium solfsii, Fusarium moniliforme, Helminthosporium sacchari, Physalospora tucumanesis, Aspergillus niger.”Hamuje syntezę prostaglandyn i jest inhibitorem lipooksygenazy. Stanowi naturalny czynnik hipolipolidyczny. Powstrzymuje rozwój następujących mikroorganizmów (bakterie i grzyby): Corynebacterium diphtheriae, beta-hemolytic streptococci, Microoccus pyogenous var aureus, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Clostridium perfringens (w stężeniu 0,05%), Klebsiella aerogenes, Sclerotium solfsii, Fusarium moniliforme, Helminthosporium sacchari, Physalospora tucumanesis, Aspergillus niger.
Kurkuma – ostryż – Curcuma
Henryk Różański

Gallic acid enhances ibuprofen’s anti-inflammatory effects.

„Gallic acid has synergistic effects with curcumin and turmeric, artichoke, milk thistle (silymarin) – in liver and kidney regeneration and protection; with mandelic acid (in treating urinary tract infections resistant to antibiotics and sulfonamides); with arbutin (in treating gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections and discoloration); and with rosmarinic acid, vitamin C, resveratrol, flavonoids, salicylic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and cinnamic acid (for antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects and protection of parenchymal organs). It enhances the anti-inflammatory effects of ibuprofen, phenacetin, and salicylates.”Kwas galusowy wykazuje synergizm z kurkuminą i kurkumą, karczochem, ostropestem (sylimaryną) – w regeneracji i ochronie wątroby i nerek, kwasem migdałowym (w leczeniu zakażeń układu moczowego, opornych na antybiotyki i sulfonamidy), z arbutyną ( w leczeniu zakażeń przewodu pokarmowego i układu moczowego, w leczeniu przebarwień), z kwasem rozmarynowym, witaminą C, resweratrolem, flawonoidami, kwasem salicylowym, kwasem ferulowym, kawowym, kwasem cynamonowym (w działaniu onkostatycznym, przeciwzapalnym i antybakteryjnym, ochronnym na narządy miąższowe). Nasila działanie przeciwzapalne ibuprofenu, fenacetyny i salicylanów.
Acidum gallicum – kwas galusowy jako lek w dawnej medycynie
Henryk Różański

Gallic acid is described as synergistic with curcumin and turmeric.

„Gallic acid has synergistic effects with curcumin and turmeric, artichoke, milk thistle (silymarin) – in liver and kidney regeneration and protection; with mandelic acid (in treating urinary tract infections resistant to antibiotics and sulfonamides); with arbutin (in treating gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections and discoloration); and with rosmarinic acid, vitamin C, resveratrol, flavonoids, salicylic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and cinnamic acid (for antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects and protection of parenchymal organs).”Kwas galusowy wykazuje synergizm z kurkuminą i kurkumą, karczochem, ostropestem (sylimaryną) – w regeneracji i ochronie wątroby i nerek, kwasem migdałowym (w leczeniu zakażeń układu moczowego, opornych na antybiotyki i sulfonamidy), z arbutyną ( w leczeniu zakażeń przewodu pokarmowego i układu moczowego, w leczeniu przebarwień), z kwasem rozmarynowym, witaminą C, resweratrolem, flawonoidami, kwasem salicylowym, kwasem ferulowym, kawowym, kwasem cynamonowym (w działaniu onkostatycznym, przeciwzapalnym i antybakteryjnym, ochronnym na narządy miąższowe).
Acidum gallicum – kwas galusowy jako lek w dawnej medycynie

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 20.

A review found that curcumin preparations may relieve pain and improve joint function in osteoarthritis, with results comparable to NSAIDs, although the evidence is inconsistent.

Aim of the study: This umbrella review synthesizes evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses evaluating the efficacy and safety of diverse curcumin formulations in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). The objective is to assess curcumin's therapeutic potential and inform future formulation development.

Results: Ten meta-analyses and systematic reviews were included. Curcumin formulations exhibited significant improvements in pain (VAS) and joint function/stiffness (WOMAC), showing efficacy signals comparable to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and a more favorable tolerability profile in the available studies. However, methodological and clinical heterogeneity was substantial (AMSTAR-2 rated only three studies as high quality). Variations in curcumin composition, bioavailability-enhancing strategies, and extraction methods, coupled with the absence of direct comparative analyses among formulations, precluded definitive inter-group comparisons. Curcumin-based interventions show promise for OA symptom management, with efficacy signals comparable to NSAIDs and appear to have a more favorable tolerability profile in the available studies, while addressing bioavailability challenges.

Efficacy and safety of different curcumin formulations in osteoarthritis: an umbrella review of systematic reviews. · Front Med (Lausanne) 2026
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Major Science and Technology Project 2030
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyreview of many studies

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In people with knee osteoarthritis, turmeric extract improved pain and function similarly to ibuprofen, while abdominal complaints were more common with ibuprofen.

Aim of the study: To determine the efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in pain reduction and functional improvement.

Results: 185 and 182 patients were randomly assigned into C. domestica extracts and ibuprofen groups, respectively. The baseline characteristics were no different between groups. The mean of all WOMAC scores at weeks 0, 2, and 4 showed significant improvement when compared with the baseline in both groups. After using the noninferiority test, the mean difference (95% confidence interval) of WOMAC total, WOMAC pain, and WOMAC function scores at week 4 adjusted by values at week 0 of C. domestica extracts were noninferior to those for the ibuprofen group (P=0.010, P=0.018, and P=0.010, respectively), except for the WOMAC stiffness subscale, which showed a trend toward significance (P=0.060). The number of patients who developed AEs was no different between groups. However, the number of events of abdominal pain/discomfort was significantly higher in the ibuprofen group than that in the C. domestica extracts group (P=0.046).

Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts compared with ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter study. · Clin Interv Aging 2014
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studystudy with random allocation to groups (RCT)
Participants367

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

In a study of people with knee osteoarthritis, turmeric extract led to similar improvements to ibuprofen in most of the symptoms and functions assessed.

Aim of the study: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in pain reduction and functional improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Results: Fifty-two (52) and 55 patients were randomized to C. domestica extracts and ibuprofen groups, respectively. Baseline characteristics of the patients in both groups were not different. The mean scores of the aforementioned outcomes at weeks 0, 2, 4, and 6 were significantly improved when compared with the baseline values in both groups. There was no difference in those parameters between the patients receiving ibuprofen and C. domestica extracts, except pain on stairs (p = 0.016). No significant difference of adverse events between both groups was found (33.3% versus 44.2%, p = 0.36 in C. domestica extracts and ibuprofen groups, respectively). C. domestica extracts seem to be similarly efficacious and safe as ibuprofen for the treatment of knee OA.

Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis. · J Altern Complement Med 2009
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studystudy with random allocation to groups (RCT)
Participants107

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

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