A blend of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) has more pronounced effects on cartilage explant homeostasis than turmeric alone

Background Turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) and Tamarind ( Tamarindus indica ) are botanicals commonly used to support cartilage health. While direct benefits of turmeric on cartilage homeostasis have been reported, its bioavailability profile is widely known to be poor. Co-administration of other botanical substances may improve translational potential of oral turmeric if they do not interfere with bioactivity of turmeric on target tissues. The purpose was to compare turmeric (TUR) and a 2:1 blend of turmeric and tamarind (TT) on responses of cartilage to inflammatory stimuli. Methods TUR and TT underwent simulated digestion, hepatic biotransformation, and ultrafiltration, and were used to condition cartilage explants in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Explants were cultured for 120 h; the first 24 h in basal tissue culture media and the remaining 96 h in media containing TUR or TT (0, 7.6, 22.8 or 38 μg/mL). LPS (0 or 10 μg/mL) was added for the final 48 h. Media samples were collected prior to LPS exposure (0 h) and 24 and 48 h after, and analyzed for prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and nitric oxide (NO). Cartilage was digested and analyzed for GAG, and a GAG retention index (GRI) was calculated. At the end of the 120 h culture period, explants were stained for viability. Data were analyzed using a 2-way repeated measures ANOVA (GAG, PGE 2 , NO) or 1-way ANOVA without repeated measures (viability, tissue GAG, and GRI). Significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Results Neither TUR nor TT affected chondrocyte viability or PGE 2 production. TUR (38 μg/mL) reduced media GAG in unstimulated explants and increased GRI. TTsim (22.8 and 38 μg/mL) reduced NO and media GAG, in both stimulated and unstimulated explants, and increased GRI. Conclusion These data provide evidence that both turmeric and a blend of turmeric and tamarind can protect cartilage from inflammatory challenge, with the latter demonstrating greater effects.