The efficacy of curcuminoids in relieving the pain associated with OA was clearly shown in the present study. Further research is encouraged to be carried out in order to unveil if curcuminoids can modify OA through analgesic-independent mechanisms, e.g. interaction with oxidative and inflammatory pathways and modulation of circulating as well as synovial fluid concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Given the established safety of curcuminoids and the availability of several bioavailability- enhanced preparations, the positive results in this trial provide a base for future larger-scale phase III trials to explore if curcuminoids can be used be used in the therapeutic regimen of patients suffering from knee OA.