MAPK8 and inflammatory response: Curcumin and its derivatives exert their effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway, which downregulates pro-inflammatory factors such as COX-2, JNK, PI3K, and AP-1, thereby reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators like IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and alleviating joint inflammation [82,83].