Symphytum officinalis for osteoarthritis and/or periarthropathy of the knee

Objective

The incidence of osteoarthritis (OA) is increasing significantly such that it is now a common clinical condition. In OA, there is a gradual increase in pain and stiffness leading to limitation of movement and deformity of joints. There is no cure for OA.

Treatment is aimed primarily at pain relief and reduction of disability. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been the mainstay of drug treatment. Considering the unpleasant side-effects associated with conventional therapies, an alternative treatment requires careful consideration and investigation.

This study aimed to assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Symphytum gel.

Materials and methods

The study included 82 patients. Patients underwent 6 weeks of treatment, with general assessments at weeks 3 and 6. Patients applied Symphytum gel to the affected knee twice daily. Safety was assessed by asking the patients if they had experienced any skin reactions and by the eliciting and recording of adverse events.

Tolerability was assessed using a 4-point scale completed by both patient and researcher. Efficacy was assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) questionnaire, which investigates pain, stiffness and difficulty in performing daily activities.

Results

The report will generate general summary and descriptive statistics.

Conclusion

We believe that our product will be an effective treatment for these conditions and that this study will begin to provide evidence-based research for an easy to use topical application for a condition that has major implications for patients’ quality of life.