Curcumin Versus Ibuprofen for Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Physically Active Women

NCT07785986 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: DFL-CURC-2025-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage; Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS); Sports Recovery; Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress; Exercise-Induced Inflammation

Keywords

Curcumin; Curcuma longa; Ibuprofen; Nutritional Supplementation; Eccentric Exercise; Exercise Recovery; Muscle Damage; Oxidative Stress; Inflammation; Sports Nutrition; Female Athletes; Physically Active Women; Randomized Controlled Trial; Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS); Oxidative Stres

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Exercise-induced muscle damage

  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.

  Baseline and during the 72-hour recovery period following eccentric exercise.

Secondary Outcomes (13)

• 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.

Study Arms (3)

Curcumin

EXPERIMENTAL

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.

Dietary Supplement: Curcumin

Ibuprofen

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Drug: Ibuprofen

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

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.

Other: Placebo

Interventions

Curcumin DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants received oral curcumin supplementation according to the study protocol before and after the eccentric exercise protocol. Curcumin was administered at the predefined dose and duration specified in the protocol. The intervention aimed to evaluate its effects on exercise-induced muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, physical performance, and recovery in physically active women.

Also known as: Curcuma longa

Curcumin

Ibuprofen DRUG

Participants received oral ibuprofen according to the study protocol before and after the eccentric exercise protocol. Ibuprofen was administered at the predefined dose and duration specified in the protocol and served as the active comparator for evaluating recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage.

Ibuprofen

Placebo OTHER

Participants received placebo capsules identical in appearance, packaging, and administration schedule to the active interventions. The placebo contained inert ingredients and was administered according to the study protocol before and after the eccentric exercise protocol.

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Valladolid: lead

Study Sites (1)

University Campus of Soria

Soria, 42004, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Inflammation

Interventions

Curcumin; turmeric extract; Ibuprofen

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Diarylheptanoids; Heptanes; Alkanes; Hydrocarbons, Acyclic; Hydrocarbons; Organic Chemicals; Catechols; Phenols; Benzene Derivatives; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Hydrocarbons, Cyclic; Phenylpropionates; Acids, Carbocyclic; Carboxylic Acids

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: 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.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor of Histology and Researcher, Neurobiology Research Group, University of Valladolid

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of three parallel groups receiving oral curcumin supplementation, ibuprofen, or placebo. Following supplementation, all participants performed a standardized eccentric exercise protocol. Clinical outcomes, physical performance, biomarkers of muscle damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and other health-related biomarkers were evaluated during the recovery period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 20, 2026
• First Posted: August 25, 2026
• Study Start: January 31, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 23, 2026
• Study Completion: August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: Beginning 6 months after publication and ending 5 years after publication.
• Access Criteria: Data will be available upon reasonable request to qualified researchers for scientifically sound research purposes following approval by the study investigators and execution of a data sharing agreement, when required.

Locations

ES (1)