Arthrem May Alleviate Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Photo © iStockphoto.com/Devrimb

Researchers in New Zealand have found that Arthrem, a joint support supplement from Promisia Integrative Limited (Wellington, New Zealand), may reduce pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis, as well as increase physical function.

Arthrem contains an extract from the plant Artemisia annua, also known as Qinghaosu. It made its debut as a dietary supplement in 2011.

“We are thrilled to be able to publish scientific research to back up what we’ve been hearing anecdotally from customers, which is that Arthrem can help relieve pain and stiffness in arthritic joints,” said Charlie Daily, CEO, Promisia.

The randomized, placebo-controlled trial included 28 participants aged 35-75 with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Participants consumed 150 mg of Arthrem or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. Researchers then compared baseline and 12-week scores of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) to assess osteoarthritis symptoms, and a visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess joint pain.

Participants in the Arthrem group showed a significant improvement in WOMAC total scores, as well as a statistically significant reduction to the WOMAC components for stiffness and physical function, compared to the placebo group. Additionally, the VAS pain scores were statistically reduced in the Arthrem group, but not in the placebo group.

“The published results show that the natural product, Arthrem, has potential as an anti-inflammatory/analgesic in osteoarthritis,” says Sheena Hunt, PhD, co-author of the study and principal scientist for Promisia. “In patients taking one Arthrem capsule twice a day, pain and stiffness were significantly reduced and physical function significantly improved.”

Hunt also noted that the effect of Arthrem supplementation were especially positive in the subset of participants suffering from mild or moderate osteoarthritis, rather than more severe osteoarthritis. Within that subgroup, the average magnitude of pain at the end of the 12-week period was less than half what it was baseline, says Hunt.

The study also included a second experimental group that consumed a higher-dose regiment of Arthrem for 12 weeks, taking 300 mg of the supplement twice daily rather than 150 mg. However, researchers reported there were no statistically significant changes in this group for any parameter compared to baseline.

Read more:

Natural Options for Osteoarthritis

Bone-Health Cofactors: New Science on Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium, and Zinc

Michael Crane
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook Magazine
michael.crane@ubm.com

References:

Stebbings S et al., “A pilot randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of an extract of Artemisia annua administered over 12 weeks, for managing pain, stiffness, and functional limitation associated with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee,” Clinical Rheumatology. Published online December 3, 2015.