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Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial on the potential modes of action of sheaflex70tm in osteoarthritis.

Authors :
Cheras, Phillip A.
Myers, Stephen P.
Paul-Brent, Peta-Anne
Outerbridge, Kerry H.
Nielsen, Gary V. L.
Source :
Phytotherapy Research; Aug2010, Vol. 24 Issue 8, p1126-1131, 6p
Publication Year :
2010

Abstract

Extracts from the seed of the African shea tree Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn have been used traditionally for the treatment of arthritic conditions. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which benefit is conferred. This single-site, 15-week randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study examined a range of biomarkers in 89 patients with osteoarthritis of the knees and/or hips to determine potential modes of action of SheaFlex70<superscript>TM</superscript>, a triterpene-rich extract of Vitellaria paradoxa. In the group of participants with levels of osteoarthritis biomarkers in the upper quartile at baseline, there were significant decreases in inflammation and cartilage breakdown and trend level decreases in bone remodeling in the SheaFlex70<superscript>TM</superscript> group versus placebo between commencement and completion of the study. Inflammation marker TNF-alpha fell 23.9% vs 6% (treatment vs placebo), p = 0.041. Cartilage degradation marker CTX-II fell 28.7% vs an increase of 17.6% (treatment vs placebo), p = 0.018. This marker also showed significant falls across the entire study group, 10.6% vs an increase of 11.6%, (treatment vs placebo), p = 0.016. Osteocalcin levels fell 9.2%, p = 0.014 (treatment) vs 1.2%, ns (placebo), p = 0.096 (treatment vs placebo). These findings indicate that in patients with the highest levels of osteoarthritis biomarkers, SheaFlex70<superscript>TM</superscript> demonstrated multiple beneficial activities consistent with slowing the disease process. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0951418X
Volume :
24
Issue :
8
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Phytotherapy Research
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
64213077
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3075