# A Nutritional Supplement Containing Curcumin C3 Complex, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin Alleviates Osteoarthritis in Mice and Canines

## TL;DR

A supplement containing curcumin, glucosamine, and chondroitin reduced osteoarthritis symptoms in mice and dogs by protecting cartilage and reducing inflammation.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that combining curcumin with glucosamine and chondroitin provides enhanced osteoarthritis relief compared to glucosamine and chondroitin alone.

## Key findings

- C3GC preserved subchondral bone structure and improved motor function in mice compared to GC alone.
- C3GC reduced serum MMP-3 and TNF-α levels and pain in osteoarthritic dogs.
- C3GC significantly lowered OARSI scores in joint tissue, indicating better cartilage preservation.

## Abstract

This study evaluates the use of Curcumin C3 Complex-glucosamine-chondroitin (C3GC) to alleviate osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms in dogs and mice. OA was induced in mice through medial meniscus destabilization, and the subjects received 8 weeks of dietary supplementation with glucosamine-chondroitin (GC) alone or in combination with Curcumin C3 Complex (C3C). The findings showed that C3GC offers greater bone and cartilage protection than the use of GC alone. Supplementation in OA canines significantly decreased pain scores, serum MMP-3, and TNF-α, reflecting anti-inflammatory activity. The findings support the use of C3GC for alleviating OA in mice and dogs, though further clinical evidence is needed.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronically progressive degenerative arthropathy characterized by the loss of cartilage, changes in subchondral architecture, and ongoing inflammation resulting in reduced mobility and pain. This study assessed the treatment potential of a combination of chondroitin and glucosamine enriched with Curcumin C3 Complex (C3GC) in modulating the pathophysiological features in mouse models with surgically induced OA and in dogs with naturally occurring OA. A cohort of 24 male C57BL/6 mice aged 3 months old were surgically destabilized with medial meniscus (DMM) to cause osteoarthritis. These animals underwent a nutritional intervention with C3GC or with GC over a course of 8 weeks. In order to evaluate cartilage health and subchondral bone structure, we carried out a combination of behavioral tests, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and histopathological examinations. In addition, a cohort of 12 OA-diagnosed retired police dogs were administered C3GC supplements or conventional care over a course of 30 days, with pain measurement and serum concentrations of MMP-3 and TNF-α determined before and after treatment. According to our findings, the administration of C3GC was determined to preserve subchondral microarchitectural structure integrity (p < 0.05) and resulted in better motor function in comparison with GC. In animals taking nutritional supplements, the OARSI scores of joint tissue sections were reduced, with the medial tibial plateau OARSI score being particularly low in the C3GC group (p < 0.0001). In dogs, treatment with C3GC resulted in a 24.5% reduction in serum MMP-3 levels (p < 0.01), and there was also a 20.8% decrease in serum TNF-α levels (p < 0.05), along with a decrease in subjective pain assessment. The results are in support of the chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties of C3GC and justify future research on the potential utility of C3GC in treating osteoarthritis.