Written by Tabish Mehraj, PhD. In this study, the treatment achieved a rapid 98% reduction in pain within 6 hours, significantly outperforming placebo (p < 0.001) and resulting in near-total improvement in VAS and PPI scores. Common pain descriptors like “tender” were virtually eliminated, resulting in comprehensive and substantial relief across all body regions. 

Exercise-induced muscle pain is a common phenomenon that is mostly due to micro-trauma, and the stress placed on tendons, ligaments, joints, and muscles. Muscle soreness, stiffness, and reduced range of motion are among the apparent characteristics. Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata may offer benefits for pain, inflammation, and exercise-induced musculoskeletal pain. This study, conducted by Sanjeev Kumar Kare and colleagues, investigated the effectiveness of a Turmeric-Boswellia extract (TBE) formulation in reducing exercise-induced acute musculoskeletal pain (MSP). The study focused on various aspects of pain, including sensory and emotional aspects, which are often overlooked. The authors stated that pain also involves throbbing, aching, and exhaustion. Therefore, the study aims to determine whether a turmeric and Boswellia formulation could be beneficial for reducing other important dimensions of pain.

The study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter design. 232 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 65 years with exercise-induced acute MSP (musculoskeletal pain) were enrolled. Participants were randomly and equally divided into groups to receive either the turmeric-Boswellia extract formulation or a placebo in a 1:1 ratio. Participants were enrolled only if they had a numerical pain rating score of 5 or higher and experienced pain within 24 hours of physical activity. 1000 mg of a proprietary formulation containing extracts of Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata was dispersed in sesame oil. The formulation was standardized to contain curcuminoids and acetyl-keto-boswellic acid, compounds known for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Pain outcomes were assessed over six hours using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), which measures sensory and affective pain descriptors, as well as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Present Pain Intensity (PPI) scale.

Results/Key Findings

• The treatment group showed a 98% reduction in pain within 6 hours, while the placebo group showed negligible improvement.
• Significant reductions were observed in both sensory and affective pain scores at all time points, with p < 0.001 for both outcomes.
• Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores decreased by 97.38%, and PPI scores improved by 96.01%, indicating rapid and substantial pain relief.
• Common pain descriptors such as “tender,” “aching,” “hot-burning,” and “shooting” reduced dramatically; “tender” decreased from 65% to 1% and “tiring-exhaustive” from 61% to 3% after treatment.
• Pain relief was effective across all body regions, with some participants experiencing 100% reduction in sensory and affective pain descriptors, especially in head and neck pain cases.

Curcumin from turmeric has shown anti-inflammatory properties and acts by inhibiting inflammatory mediators such as COX-2, TNF-α, and various interleukins. It may also reduce pain hypersensitivity by inhibiting the TRPV1 receptor, which is associated with heat and pain sensation. Boswellic acids from Boswellia serrata inhibit 5-lipoxygenase and other inflammatory pathways, thereby reducing leukotriene-mediated inflammation. The combination of turmeric and Boswellia in sesame oil was believed to act synergistically, targeting multiple inflammatory and nociceptive pathways to provide rapid pain relief.

The study has several strengths. Firstly, the randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design strengthens and validates the study. The large sample size of 232 adults increased statistical power as compared to many herbal medicinal reports. The use of the SF-MPQ allowed researchers to assess not only pain intensity but also the qualitative emotional aspects of pain. Moreover, the study evaluated pain according to anatomical location.

Despite the study’s strengths, several limitations remained. Reliance on pain assessments without objective biomarkers of inflammation or tissue injury. The study duration was extremely short, lasting only six hours, so long-term efficacy and safety could not be assessed. Moreover, no positive control drug, such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs, was included for direct comparison with standard treatments.

Overall, the study concluded that the turmeric-Boswellia extract formulation provided rapid, significant, and clinically meaningful relief of both sensory and affective dimensions of exercise-induced acute musculoskeletal pain. These findings indicate that this herbal formulation could be considered as an effective alternative for short-term pain management.

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted May 27, 2026.

Dr. Tabish Mehraj is a pharmaceutical scientist with expertise in pharmaceutics, drug delivery, and formulation development. She earned her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mississippi, where her research focused on the formulation, optimization, and characterization of lipid-based nanocarriers for targeted liver delivery of antimalarial therapeutics. Dr. Mehraj has also served as an ORISE Fellow at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where she evaluated the effects of formulation and process design on the quality and performance of intravaginal drug delivery systems and developed bio-relevant in vitro drug release testing methods. She has teaching experience in pharmaceutical and life sciences courses and has authored peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference presentations. Dr. Mehraj is an active member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and has been recognized by honor societies including Rho Chi and Gamma Beta Phi.

Reference:

1. Kare, S. K., Girish, H. R., & Gupta, A. (2025). Modulation of Affective and Sensory Qualities of Acute Nociceptive Pain by Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata Extract Formulation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Design in Subjects with Exercise-Induced Acute Musculoskeletal Pain. Cureus, 17(1).