BCM-95 curcumin and BosPure boswellia compared to arthritis drug

August 1, 2011 — The Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) has accepted for presentation and poster publication a study comparing BCM-95 curcumin combined with BosPure boswellia and the prescription drug celecoxib. Celecoxib is sold under the brand name Celebrex in the United States.

The study, titled “Clinical Evaluation of an Herbal Formulation in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis,” will be presented at the OARSI Annual World Congress on Osteoarthritis, Sept. 15-18, 2011 in San Diego.

“We are gratified that mainstream medicine is taking the science behind herbal therapies for arthritis seriously,” said Dr. Benny Antony, one of the study’s lead authors. The BCM-95 formulation is safe and free from the risks associated with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including ulcers, heart problems and gastrointestinal bleeding. After the study is presented in two posters at OARSI, we will release further details of the trial and show exactly how BCM-95 compares to the drug,” he explained.  “We already know from previous studies that it does not carry the same risks or serious adverse effects. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to not have to compromise safety for pain relief?”

The study compared a 500 mg blend of BCM-95 curcumin and BosPure boswellia administered twice daily, compared to 100 mg of the prescription drug celecoxib (a clinical dose) twice daily. Thirty volunteers participated in the 12-week study. Not only were pain and stiffness assessed, but liver, kidney and blood tests were done at each visit to assess for safety and tolerability.

The spice turmeric contains only 2 percent to 5 percent curcumin, so clinical researchers generally use curcumin as an extract to achieve therapeutic blood levels of the curcuminoids, a group of active curcumin compounds. However, according to Dr. Antony, plain curcumin does not absorb well.

“On the other hand,” Antony explains, “BCM-95 curcumin is up to 10 times better absorbed than plain curcumin and it stays at a therapeutic range in the blood stream much longer. BosPure boswellia is standardized for 10 percent to 15 percent AKBA, so it has consistent potency. Also, it is screened for beta boswellic acid (BBA) to limit it to less than 5 percent. Usually beta boswellic acid is up to 20 percent of the boswellic acid family and it is actually pro-inflammatory. When boswellia is standardized to limited BBA, it doubles the anti-inflammatory activity of the herb. That is one reason we were very specific regarding which extracts to use in this clinical study.”

Source: EuroPharma, www.europharmausa.com