Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that occurs due to joint cartilage degeneration, changes in the subchondral bones, and inflammation in the joints. This condition arises because of aging condition and trauma. A symptom that is often felt by the elderly is rheumatism. This is very common because it is a major cause of musculoskeletal problems in the world. It is also the second major cause of physical disability after ischemic heart disease for people above 50 years of age.
WHO estimates 400 of every 1000 people above the age of 70 suffers osteoarthritis. Meanwhile, 800 of every 1000 OA patients have movement limitations that reduce the quality of their lives. Osteoarthritis exists in the world with a prevalence of less than 50 of every 1000 people under the age of 45. The joints that are most commonly struck by osteoarthritis are the joints that support our body weight, such as the knee joints and the hip joints. In general, the clinical symptoms are joint pains when doing activities, joint pains at night, stiff joints, and sometimes the swelling of the joints.
The lecturer of Internal Illnesses, the Faculty of Medicine UGM, Dr.dr.Nyoman Kertia, Sp.PD, KR, in his research stated that giving curcumin extract can reduce the pain of osteoarthritis stricken joints with the ability that is not different compared to the drugs containing diclofenac natrium. He explained that curcuminoid can prevent the secretion of sikloogenase enzyme-2 (Cox-2) and Reactive Oxygen Intermediate (ROI), reduce the number of leukocyte and MDA content in the Sinovia liquid which can cause OA.
Until now, the most non-steroid anti-inflammation drug prescribed by doctors around the world is for treating musculoskeletal differences caused by OA. “This kind of drug is only capable of reducing inflammation and pain. But, it cannot prevent the spreading of OA,†said Nyoman at the open doctors promotion examination held in the Auditorium of the Faculty of Medicine UGM, on Wednesday (29/7).
Some nonsteroid anti-inflammation drugs required to press the clinical symptoms of OA, says Nyoman, turns out to be toxic to the chondrocyte that it aggravates the illness itself. In general, these drugs have side effects, especially in the digestive system. It can disrupt the function of the liver, kidney, bone marrow, and the cardiovascular system. “Thus, this will add the costs and reduce the quality of the patients life,†he said.
Further explained by the 1103rd doctor of UGM, who graduated with a cumlaude honor, in general, people who suffer from OA need medication all their life, particularly anti-inflammation drugs, because there hasn’t been a cure for this illness, so it will become chronic.
It is said by Nyoman, curcuminoid is a secondary metabolite located in the rhizome of “temulawak†and Curcumin, which is a type of curcuma that have been used as spices and herbal medicine components. “It is useful for treating various illnesses including rheumatic,†explained the man born in Buleleng, September 16th 1960.
The work of anti-inflammation curcumin, he adds, is done in three channels. It presses the sikloosigenase enzyme, lipoksigenase enzyme, and it is used as antidote of free radicals.
The ability of curcumin, says Nyoman, is very important because two the two channels that play a major role in the joint inflammation process are the sikloosigenase channel and the activities of the free radicals.