Therapeutic efficacy of Curcuma longa leaf extract in experimental models of arthritis

Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects millions worldwide, leading to persistent joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and impaired mobility. Although conventional therapies are effective in symptom management, their long-term use is often limited by adverse effects and poor adherence. This study investigated the anti-arthritic potential of Curcuma longa leaf extract using in vivo arthritic rat models, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and in silico molecular docking approaches. LC-MS analysis identified several bioactive compounds, including curcumin, turmerones, squalene, n-hexadecanoic acid, and 9-octadecenoic acid, which are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and analgesic properties. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups such as hydroxyl (-OH), amide (-NH), alkane (-CH), and amine (-NH), supporting the bioactivity of the extract. Molecular docking studies revealed strong binding affinities of key compounds, including 1 H-Indole, 1-methyl-2-phenyl, turmerone, and curcumin-toward major inflammatory targets, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), with binding energies comparable to the standard anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. In vivo evaluation demonstrated significant attenuation of arthritis-associated biomarkers, including reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), C-reactive protein, adenosine deaminase activity, oxidative stress markers, leukocyte counts, joint swelling, and pain-related behaviors, alongside normalization of bone mineral and uric acid levels. Collectively, these findings indicate that C. longa leaf extract exerts multi-targeted anti-arthritic effects through modulation of inflammatory, oxidative, immune, and pain pathways, supporting its potential as a complementary therapeutic agent for arthritis management and warranting further clinical investigation.