Curcumin: A compound in turmeric that has the potential to reduce Nuclear Factor-Kappa Beta (NF-kB), Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-a) levels, and pain intensity after high-intensity physical exercise

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze and prove the effect of curcumin on NF-kB, TNF-a levels, and pain intensity after high-intensity physical exercise. Method: This experimental study used a pre and post-control group design. Research subjects were selected using a purposive sampling technique and then the subjects were divided into 2 groups, namely group (K1) with placebo administration and group (K2) with 400 mg dose of curcumin. A total of 20 healthy men aged between 20-30 years participated in this study. On the first day, all subjects took data on the characteristics of research subjects, then warmed up, and then the subjects did a high-intensity physical exercise in the form of squad and leg press exercises with an intensity of 80-90% of maximum abilities. The exercise was carried out in 4 sets for each form of exercise and rest between sets for about 1 minute. On the second day, after 24 hours, all subjects measured pain intensity and took pre-test blood samples, then were given interventions based on their respective groups. On the third day, after 24 hours, all subjects took pain intensity measurements and took post-test blood samples. Measurement of pain intensity using the Visual Analytical Scale (VAS) and blood samples were analyzed in the laboratory using the ELISA method to examine levels of NF-kB and TNF-a. After the data was obtained, the data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS version 26 application. Results: The results of this study reported that the group that was given curcumin after high-intensity physical exercise was able to significantly reduce levels of NF-kB, TNF-a, and pain intensity (*p<0.05) compared to the placebo group. Conclusions: We believe that the main cause of muscle soreness is the uncontrolled increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines after high-intensity physical exercise. Since the reduction in pain intensity after high-intensity exercise is necessary to support bodily functions, we highly recommend the use of curcumin which has many positive benefits for exercisers.