薬理と治療

Abstract

Objective　To examine the effects of a tamarind and turmeric mixture（TTM）on the knee and╱or back discomfort in healthy Japanese adults. Methods　This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-comparison study involving 99 healthy Japanese adults. Subjects were assigned to either low-TTM（150 mg╱day）, regular-TTM（250 mg╱day）, or placebo group（n＝33 each）using a random number generator. For eight weeks, subjects consumed food with either low-TTM, regular-TTM, or placebo. The knee and╱or back discomfort were evaluated using the Japanese knee osteoarthritis measure（JKOM）, the Japanese low back pain evaluation questionnaire, the Japanese orthopedic association（JOA）score for osteoarthritic knees and back, and an original questionnaire. Knee and back functions were evaluated using a 30-s chair-stand test and a 10-m walk test. The rate of adverse events and blood tests were used to assess safety. Results　The comparison of results between the low-TTM group and the placebo group revealed highly novel findings. Thirty-one subjects were analyzed based on the protocol set in the low-TTM and placebo groups. JKOM total scores increased significantly in the low-TTM group than the placebo group, and the JKOM subitem, “knee pain when climbing stairs,” improved in the low-TTM group. The low-TTM group also showed a significant improvement in the JOA score for the lumbar spine. No adverse safety changes were observed. Conclusions　The results of this study indicated that TTM consumption（125 mg╱day）for eight weeks alleviated knee and lumbar spine pain in healthy Japanese adults. Trial registration　UMIN000043048 Foundation　YASOUKOUSO. CO., Ltd （Jpn Pharmacol Ther 2022；50：887‒900）