Pycnogenol supplementation reduces pain and stiffness and improves physical function in adults with knee osteoarthritis - Chiropractic Treatment-Degenerative Joint Disease

You will need to copy and paste the URL into a browser to view the abstract; a subscription is required to view the full text or it can be purchased online.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TB1-4R41GS1-5&_user=10&_coverDate=11%2F30%2F2007&_alid=808125780&_rdoc=3&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_cdi=5129&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_ct=11&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=abed728525f4e62e549eb4ad63cfc7c4

Pycnogenol supplementation reduces pain and stiffness and improves physical function in adults with knee osteoarthritis
Nutrition Research, November 2007, Volume 27, Issue 11, Pages 692 - 697
Reza Farid, a, Zahra Mirfeizi, a, Mahyar Mirheidari, a, Zahra Rezaieyazdi, a, Hassan Mansouri, a, Habib Esmaelli, a, Sherma Zibadi, b, Peter Rohdewald, c and Ronald Ross Watson, b,
a Department of Rheumatology, Ghaem General Hospital, Mashhad University School of Medicine, 91766-99199 Mashhad, Iran
b Mel and Enid Zuckerman Arizona College of Public Health and the School of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
c College of Pharmacy, University of Munster, 481 Munster, Germany

Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disorder and a major cause of pain and disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effect of Pycnogenol (Horphag Research, Ltd, Geneva, Switzerland), a flavonoid-rich dietary supplement, on the symptoms of knee OA. Thirty-seven osteoarthritic patients were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with parallel-group design. Patients received either placebo or Pycnogenol pills (50 mg, three times daily) in a blinded fashion for 3 months. Osteoarthritis clinical symptoms were evaluated monthly with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors usage was also assessed. In the Pycnogenol group, there was a significant improvement in total WOMAC score and WOMAC subscale score of pain and physical function at 60 and 90 days of treatment. At 90 days, significant reduction of 43%, 35%, 52%, and 49% in self-reported pain, stiffness, physical function, and composite WOMAC score, respectively, were reported in Pycnogenol group, whereas the placebo group showed no significant changes. The dosage and frequency of NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors usage were increased in placebo group, which were significantly less in Pycnogenol group. The results of this study indicate the efficacy of Pycnogenol in alleviating osteoarthritis symptoms and reducing the need for NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors administration. This beneficial effect of Pycnogenol might be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Further research is warranted to determine the underlying mechanism associated with this apparent effect.