Turmeric, the spice that gives curry its yellow hue, may hold promise as a therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), animal research suggests.

In experiments with rats, scientists at the University of Arizona in Tucson found that an experimental turmeric extract was able to prevent RA-like joint inflammation and destruction in the animals.

The findings, published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, are the first to show that a turmeric extract like those currently sold as dietary supplements has anti-arthritis powers.

Rheumatoid arthritis arises when the immune system mistakenly attacks tissue in the joints, leading to inflammation, pain and progressive joint damage. In the current study, the researchers found that turmeric inhibited a key protein called NF-kappa B, which controls the activity of a number of inflammatory substances harmful to the joints in RA.

In fact, NF-kappa B is the target of certain drugs now under development for RA.

Though the turmeric benefits were seen in an animal model of RA, the findings are promising and should spur clinical trials, lead study author Dr. Janet L. Funk stated.

"We think there's an excellent chance this could work in patients," she said.

Funk and her colleagues did not use a turmeric preparation currently sold on the market, but instead created several of their own extracts using the root of the plant. The extract that ultimately proved effective was, however, similar in chemical composition to a turmeric supplement the researchers analyzed for comparison.

Still, it's too soon for RA sufferers to head to the health food store for turmeric supplements, according to Funk.

"It's premature to recommend these to people," she said, noting that one issue is the fact that dietary supplements are not regulated as drugs are, and consumers have no guarantee that a product contains what's listed on the label.

Even if the product is good-quality, there have yet to be clinical trials of the safety and efficacy of turmeric supplements in people with RA.

"The bottom line," Funk said, "is that the data just aren't there yet."

SOURCE: Arthritis & Rheumatism, November 2006.