Comparative Efficacy of Oral Curcumin Supplementation Versus Ibuprofen on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Sports Performance in Physically Active Women: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 36
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Exercise-induced muscle damage
研究概览
简要总结
xercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) is a common consequence of unaccustomed or high-intensity exercise and is characterized by muscle soreness, impaired physical performance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased circulating biomarkers of muscle damage. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are frequently used to alleviate these symptoms, although their repeated use may be associated with adverse effects. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has emerged as a potential nutritional strategy to support post-exercise recovery.
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to compare the effects of oral curcumin supplementation and ibuprofen administration on exercise-induced muscle damage in physically active women. The study evaluates clinical outcomes, physical performance, biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and other health-related biomarkers to determine whether curcumin may represent a safe and effective nutritional alternative for promoting recovery after eccentric exercise.
详细描述
Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) following eccentric exercise is characterized by structural disruption of skeletal muscle fibers accompanied by transient inflammation, oxidative stress, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and impaired physical performance. Although these responses are considered part of the normal adaptive process, excessive muscle damage may delay recovery and impair subsequent training or competition.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used by athletes to reduce post-exercise pain and inflammation. However, repeated NSAID use has been associated with gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular adverse effects, highlighting the need for safe nutritional alternatives capable of supporting recovery without interfering with physiological adaptation.
Curcumin, the principal bioactive polyphenol derived from Curcuma longa, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties through modulation of multiple molecular pathways involved in redox homeostasis and inflammatory signaling. Experimental and clinical studies suggest that curcumin may attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and muscle soreness, although evidence remains inconsistent and direct comparisons with NSAIDs are scarce.
The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is to compare the efficacy of oral curcumin supplementation with ibuprofen and placebo in physically active women following eccentric exercise. The study evaluates clinical recovery, physical performance, biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and additional health-related biomarkers in order to characterize the physiological effects of curcumin supplementation and determine its potential role as a nutritional strategy for exercise recovery.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
盲法说明
Participants, investigators responsible for data collection, and outcome assessors remained blinded to treatment allocation throughout the study. Curcumin, ibuprofen, and placebo capsules were identical in appearance, packaging, and administration schedule. Treatment allocation codes were concealed until completion of data collection and statistical analysis.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 30 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- Female
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Healthy physically active women. Age within the predefined study range. Regular participation in physical activity for at least 6 months before enrollment.
- •Ability to perform the eccentric exercise protocol. Written informed consent provided before participation.
排除标准
- •Current musculoskeletal injury or pain affecting exercise performance. History of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, renal, hepatic, or inflammatory disease.
- •Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Current use of anti-inflammatory drugs, antioxidant supplements, or other nutritional supplements that could interfere with study outcomes.
- •Known allergy or intolerance to curcumin, turmeric, ibuprofen, or study ingredients.
- •Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. Participation in another clinical trial during the study period. Any condition considered by the investigators to compromise participant safety or protocol compliance.
研究组 & 干预措施
Placebo
Participants received placebo capsules identical in appearance to the active interventions according to the study protocol before and following the eccentric exercise protocol. Clinical recovery, physical performance, muscle damage, inflammatory, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and other health-related biomarkers were evaluated during the recovery period.
干预措施: Placebo (Other)
Curcumin
Participants received oral curcumin supplementation according to the study protocol before and following the eccentric exercise protocol. Clinical recovery, physical performance, muscle damage, inflammatory, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and other health-related biomarkers were evaluated during the recovery period.
干预措施: Curcumin (Dietary Supplement)
Ibuprofen
articipants received oral ibuprofen according to the study protocol before and following the eccentric exercise protocol. Clinical recovery, physical performance, muscle damage, inflammatory, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and other health-related biomarkers were evaluated during the recovery period.
干预措施: Ibuprofen (Drug)
结局指标
主要结局
Exercise-induced muscle damage
时间窗: Baseline and during the 72-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.
Exercise-induced muscle damage assessed using clinical outcomes and biochemical biomarkers following eccentric exercise to compare the effects of oral curcumin supplementation, ibuprofen, and placebo in physically active women.
次要结局
- Creatine kinase (CK)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- C-reactive protein (CRP)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- Malondialdehyde (MDA)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- Superoxide dismutase (SOD)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- Catalase (CAT)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- Countermovement jump (CMJ)(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
- Thigh circumference(Baseline and during the 48-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.)
研究者
Diego Fernández Lázaro
Professor of Histology and Researcher, Neurobiology Research Group, University of Valladolid
University of Valladolid