Volume 30, Issue 173, July 2026

The Anti-inflammatory Potential of Curcuma longa in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms

Adam Brożyna^1♦, Agnieszka Mackiewicz², Natalia Kursa³, Aleksandra Pietrucień², Katarzyna Bielak⁴, Krystian Woźniak³, Julia Witkowska³, Monika Krasoń³

¹University Clinical Hospital No. 1 of the Medical University of Lodz: Łódź, Poland.
²Medical Centre of Pabianice, Pabianice, Poland.
³Central Teaching Hospital of The Medical University of Lodz: Łódź, Poland.
⁴Military Clinical Hospital in Cracow, Cracow, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Adam Brożyna, University Clinical Hospital No. 1 of the Medical University of Lodz: Łódź, Poland

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of autoimmune origin leading to the destruction of articular cartilage and bone, impairment of the musculoskeletal system, and premature disability. Despite advances in pharmacotherapy, including the widespread use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biological agents, many patients experience adverse effects or show an insufficient response to treatment. Consequently, safe and effective adjunctive therapies are actively sought. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and its principal active compound—curcumin—in alleviating RA symptoms, based on current clinical evidence and molecular mechanisms.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Curcuma longa, curcumin, DAS28, proinflammatory cytokines, adjunctive phytotherapy

Medical Science, 2026, 30, e131ms3931

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Published: 25 July 2026