Joints & Knees Kit JumpStart

A non-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted with 38 subjects diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Each participant received either 3,000 mg/day of a whole GLM extract or 3,000 mg/day of glucosamine sulphate (GS), p.o. for 12 weeks. Both green-lipped mussel (GLM) and glucosamine sulphate (GS) reduced osteoarthritis symptoms and non-significantly altered the gut microbiota profile from baseline.

This clinical trial was conducted to validate the clinical efficacy and safety of Lyprinol (a patented extract from Perna Canaliculus), a 5-LOX inhibitor in patients with osteoarthritis.

In this multicenter trial, 60 patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee and hip were included to receive Lyprinol at a dose of 2 capsules twice a day. After a 4- and 8-week treatment period, the following parameters were analyzed: visual analogue scale; Lequesne functional index; global assessment by patients; global assessment by physician; and adverse effects.

Lyprinol treatment led to significant improvement of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis as determined by all efficacy measures. After a 4- and 8-week treatment period, 53% and 80% (respectively) of patients experienced significant pain relief, and improvement of joint function. There was no reported adverse effect during this clinical trial.

The investigators of this clinical trial concluded that Lyprinol was very effective and is a promising anti-inflammatory product that relieves the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, without adverse effect.

The aim of this study was to primarily investigate the efficacy of a high-dose New Zealand green-lipped mussel (GLM) extract in patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and concurrently assess GLM impact on GI function.

21 subjects diagnosed with knee OA were administered 3,000 mg/day of GLM extract over 8 weeks. Outcome measures were scored using the WOMAC, the Lequesne algofunctional index, and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) tools.

The investigators of this study reported that Green-lipped mussel significantly improved knee joint pain, stiffness and mobility. Administration of GLM extract also significantly improved GI symptoms by 49% in OA patients.

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of the nutritional supplement Perna Canaliculus (green-lipped mussel, GLM) in the treatment of OA. Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials (comparative, placebo-controlled or crossover) were considered for inclusion from Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, Amed, Cinahl, Scopus and NeLH databases where adults with OA of any joint were randomized to receive either GLM vs. placebo. All trials reported clinical benefits in the GLM treatment group.

This study was designed for evaluation of omega-3 effects on disease activity and remission of rheumatoid arthritis in DMARDs treated patients and on weight changes and reduction of analgesic drugs consumption versus placebo.

Sixty patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (49 female and 11 male) underwent rheumatologist examination and disease activity score were calculated. Then patients were enrolled in this 12 week, double blind, randomized, placebo- controlled study. The patients in both groups continued their pre study standard treatment. The patients were visited every 4 weeks, 4 times and data were recorded.

Significant improvement in the patient’s global evaluation and in the physician’s assessment of disease was observed in those taking omega-3. The proportions of patients who improved and of those who were able to reduce their concomitant analgesic medication were significantly greater with omega-3 consumption.

This study evaluated whether supplementation with olive oil could improve clinical and laboratory parameters of disease activity in patients who had rheumatoid arthritis and were using fish oil supplements.

Forty-three patients (34 female, 9 male; mean age = 49 +/- 19y) were investigated in a parallel randomized design. Patients were assigned to one of three groups. In addition to their usual medication, the first group (G1) received placebo (soy oil), the second group (G2) received fish oil omega-3 fatty acids (3 g/d), and the third group (G3) received fish oil omega-3 fatty acids (3 g/d) and 9.6 mL of olive oil. Disease activity was measured by clinical and laboratory indicators at the beginning of the study and after 12 and 24 wk. Patients’ satisfaction in activities of daily living was also measured.

There was a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.05) in G2 and G3 in relation to G1 with respect to joint pain intensity, right and left handgrip strength after 12 and 24 wk, duration of morning stiffness, onset of fatigue, Ritchie’s articular index for pain joints after 24 wk, ability to bend down to pick up clothing from the floor, and getting in and out of a car after 24 wk. G3, but not G2, in relation to G1 showed additional improvements with respect to duration of morning stiffness after 12 wk, patient global assessment after 12 and 24 wk, ability to turn faucets on and off after 24 wk, and rheumatoid factor after 24 wk. In addition, G3 showed a significant improvement in patient global assessment in relation to G2 after 12 wk.

The investigators concluded that the ingestion of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids relieved several clinical parameters used in the study. However, patients showed a more precocious and accentuated improvement when fish oil supplements were used in combination with olive oil.

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of parenteral omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FA) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This was double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in 23 patients with moderate to severe RA. Patients received either 0.2 g of fish oil emulsion/kg (active) or 0.9% saline (placebo) infusion intravenously for 14 consecutive days, followed by 20 weeks of 0.05 g of fish oil/kg (active) or paraffin wax (placebo) ingested orally as capsules. A decrease in swollen and tender joint counts was the primary efficacy measure.

Swollen joint count was significantly lower in the omega-3 FA group compared with the placebo group after 1 week of infusion (P = .002) as well as after 2 weeks of infusion (P = .046). Tender joint count also tended to be lower in the omega-3 FA group, although this did not reach statistical significance. Both swollen and tender joint counts were significantly lower in the omega-3 FA group compared with the placebo group during and at the end of oral treatment.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a standardized oral supplementation of Boswellin®, a novel extract of Boswellia serrata extract (BSE) containing 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBBA) with β-boswellic acid (BBA).

A total of 48 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee were randomized and allocated to the BSE and placebo groups for intervention. Patients were administered BSE or placebo for a period of 120 days.

The trial results revealed that BSE treatment significantly improved the physical function of the patients by reducing pain and stiffness compared with placebo. Radiographic assessments showed improved knee joint gap and reduced osteophytes (spur) confirming the efficacy of BSE treatment. BSE also significantly reduced the serum levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein, a potential inflammatory marker associated with OA of the knee. No serious adverse events were reported.

A randomized double blind placebo controlled crossover study was conducted to assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Boswellia serrata Extract (BSE) in 30 patients of osteoarthritis of knee, 15 each receiving active drug or placebo for eight weeks. After the first intervention, washout was given and then the groups were crossed over to receive the opposite intervention for eight weeks.

All patients receiving drug treatment reported decrease in knee pain, increased knee flexion and increased walking distance. The frequency of swelling in the knee joint was decreased. The observed differences between drug treated and placebo being statistically significant, are clinically relevant. BSE was well tolerated by the subjects except for minor gastrointestinal ADRs.

The aim of this clinical trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of curcuminoid complex extract from turmeric rhizome with turmeric volatile oil (CuraMed®) and its combination with boswellic acid extract from Indian frankincense root (Curamin®) vs placebo for the treatment of 40- to 70-year-old patients with osteoarthritis (OA).

The effects of CuraMed® 500-mg capsules (333 mg curcuminoids) and Curamin® 500-mg capsules (350 mg curcuminoids and 150 mg boswellic acid) taken orally three times a day for 12 weeks in 201 patients was investigated in a three-arm, parallel-group, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Primary outcome efficacy measures included OA physical function performance-based tests, the WOMAC recommended index of joint pain, morning stiffness, limitations of physical function, and the patients’ global assessment of disease severity.

Favorable effects of both preparations compared to placebo were observed after only 3 months of continuous treatment. A significant effect of Curamin® compared to placebo was observed both in physical performance tests and the WOMAC joint pain index, while superior efficacy of CuraMed vs placebo was observed only in physical performance tests.

Twelve-week use of curcumin complex or its combination with boswellic acid reduces pain-related symptoms in patients with OA. Curcumin in combination with boswellic acid is more effective.

This study investigated the effects of bromelain on mild acute knee pain of less than 3 months duration in otherwise healthy adults.

Two validated questionnaires (WOMAC knee health Index and the Psychological Well-Being Index) were completed at baseline and after one month’s intervention with bromelain, randomly allocated to volunteers as either 200 mg or 400 mg per day. Seventy seven subjects completed the study.

In both treatment groups, all WOMAC symptom dimension scores were significantly reduced compared with baseline. In addition, improvements in total symptom score and the stiffness and physical function dimensions were significantly greater in the high-dose compared with the low-dose group. Compared to baseline, overall psychological well-being was significantly improved in both groups after treatment.

The investigators concluded that bromelain may be effective in ameliorating physical symptoms and improving general well-being in otherwise healthy adults suffering from mild knee pain in a dose-dependent manner.

The aim of this study was to assess whether the daily consumption of a gastroresistant food supplement formulation containing a combination of Boswellia serrata and bromelain could improve the QoL of patients suffering from various forms of Osteoarthritis (OA).

Forty-nine patients, 6 men and 43 women, aged between 23 and 92 years, (mean age 63.24) participated in the study. Patients took a Boswellia- and bromelain-based supplement for a period between 1 and 6 months. At baseline and at the end of the study, patients completed a self-assessment QoL questionnaire regarding their independence in performing daily activities.

At follow-up (3.0 ± 0.7 months), a significant improvement was observed for 7 of 10 QoL questions and, overall, for the total QoL score. The most significant improvements were observed in the joints that were more strongly affected at baseline. A similar trend was observed when separately considering patients with knee, hip, or generalized OA. No patients experienced adverse events and no drug interactions were reported.

The investigators concluded that the use of the gastroresistant formulation containing the combination of Boswellia and bromelain supplements can represent a valuable nonpharmacological tool for improving the QoL of patients suffering from different forms of OA.