Dietary Supplementation with Palmitoyl-Glucosamine Co-Micronized with Curcumin Relieves Osteoarthritis Pain and Benefits Joint Mobility

• Main Authors: Enrico Gugliandolo, Alessio Filippo Peritore, Daniela Impellizzeri, Marika Cordaro, Rosalba Siracusa, Roberta Fusco, Ramona D’Amico, Rosanna Di Paola, Carlo Schievano, Salvatore Cuzzocrea, Rosalia Crupi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-10-01
• Series: Animals
• Subjects: Osteoarthritis; mobility; pain; allodynia; hyperalgesia; inflammation
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/10/1827

Chronic mixed pain and orthopedic dysfunction are the most frequently associated consequences of canine osteoarthritis (OA). An unmet need remains for safe and effective therapies for OA. Palmitoyl-glucosamine (PGA) and curcumin are safe and naturally occurring compounds whose use is limited by poor bioavailability. Micronization is an established technique to increase bioavailability. The aim of this study was to investigate if the dietary supplementation with PGA co-micronized with curcumin (PGA-Cur, 2:1 ratio by mass) could limit pathologic process in two well-established rat models of inflammation and OA pain, i.e., subplantar carrageenan (CAR) and knee injection of sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA), respectively. In CAR-injected animals, a single dose of PGA-cur significantly reduced paw edema and hyperalgesia, as well as tissue damage and neutrophil infiltration. The repeated administration of PGA-Cur three times per week for 21 days, starting the third day after MIA injection resulted in a significant anti-allodynic effect. Protection against cartilage damage and recovery of locomotor function by 45% were also recorded. Finally, PGA-cur significantly counteracted MIA-induced increase in serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, NGF, as well as metalloproteases 1, 3, and 9. All the effects of PGA-Cur were superior compared to the compounds used singly. PGA-Cur emerged as a useful dietary intervention for OA.