Development and characterization of diacerein cream with curcuma longa having potent anti-inflammatory effect

Objective: Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, affects an increasing number of people and greatly diminishes their quality of life. Treatments for Osteoarthritis are divided into two categories: NSAIDs, which provide symptomatic relief, and disease-modifying agents. Diacerein, a disease-modifying agent, targets critical disease mechanisms and effectively slows the progression of structural changes in patients with knee Osteoarthritis. This study aims to develop and evaluate a novel cream formulation that combines Diacerein with Curcuma longa, which is renowned for its strong anti-inflammatory properties, to enhance treatment effectiveness in Osteoarthritis. Materials: A cream formulation containing Diacerein (3%) and Curcuma longa (1%) was prepared and evaluated for various physicochemical properties, including homogeneity, pH, spread-ability, tube extrudability, viscosity, and in-vitro drug diffusion, to determine its suitability for topical application. Accelerated stability testing was performed at different temperatures, and the remaining drug content was measured using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer assay. The formulated cream was also assessed for skin irritation and anti-inflammatory effects on albino rabbits. Furthermore, the efficacy of the Diacerein cream was evaluated in knee Osteoarthritis patients using the VAS and Lequesne scales. Results: The results were promising, with the Diacerein cream formulation combined with Curcuma longa extract stored at room temperature (22±5°C) showing the most favorable outcomes for all physicochemical parameters compared to storage at 40°C and 60°C. Conclusion: The formulated cream significantly lowered the scores on the VAS and Lequesne scales, demonstrating its effectiveness in treating knee joint Osteoarthritis. No adverse events were reported, indicating that the formulation is safe for use in Osteoarthritis of the knee joint.