Skip to content
2000
Volume 25, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 1568-0266
  • E-ISSN: 1873-4294

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic articular degenerative disease characterized by articular cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation/immunity, and subchondral bone lesions. Recently, increasing interest has been devoted to treating or preventing OA with herbal medicines. The mechanism of action of plant raw materials used in osteoarthrosis treatment is well documented. They are sought after because of the high frequency of inflammation of the knee joint among both elderly and young people engaged in sports in which their knee joints are often exposed to high-stress conditions.

The purpose of this work was to present some most effective and safe plant medicines with proven mechanisms of action that can help to alleviate the growing social problem of osteoarthrosis caused in recent years.

A review of the available literature based primarily on the latest editions of ESCOP and EMA monographs and the latest scientific papers has made it possible to select and propose medical management of osteoarthrosis by ranking plant medicines according to their effectiveness.

Clinical studies of raw plant materials, such as , , and have indicated that these drugs should be considered the first choice in osteoarthrosis treatment. The efficacy of , , , , and externally applied and , has also been proven by pharmacological studies. All the plant medicines mentioned in the paper have been studied in detail in terms of their phytochemistry, which can help doctors in their decision making in the treatment of osteoarthrosis.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/ctmc/10.2174/0115680266297662240527105450
2024-06-11
2025-09-03
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. AbramoffB. CalderaF.E. Osteoarthritis.Med. Clin. North Am.2020104229331110.1016/j.mcna.2019.10.00732035570
    [Google Scholar]
  2. AnsariM.Y. AhmadN. HaqqiT.M. Oxidative stress and inflammation in osteoarthritis pathogenesis: Role of polyphenols.Biomed. Pharmacother.202012911045210.1016/j.biopha.2020.11045232768946
    [Google Scholar]
  3. McAlindonT.E. DribanJ.B. HenrotinY. HunterD.J. JiangG.L. SkouS.T. WangS. SchnitzerT. OARSI clinical trials recommendations: Design, conduct, and reporting of clinical trials for knee osteoarthritis.Osteoarthritis Cartilage201523574776010.1016/j.joca.2015.03.00525952346
    [Google Scholar]
  4. KönigT.M. KloseP. CramerH. KochA.K. DobosG. LanghorstJ. Phytotherapy of osteoarthritis.Z. Phytother.201637242247
    [Google Scholar]
  5. AshrufO.S. AnsariM.Y. Natural compounds: Potential therapeutics for the inhibition of cartilage matrix degradation in osteoarthritis.Life202213110210.3390/life1301010236676051
    [Google Scholar]
  6. TianZ. ZhangX. SunM. Phytochemicals mediate autophagy against osteoarthritis by maintaining cartilage homeostsis.Front. Pharmacol.20211279505810.3389/fphar.2021.79505834987406
    [Google Scholar]
  7. PanahiY. RahimniaA.R. SharafiM. AlishiriG. SaburiA. SahebkarA. Curcuminoid treatment for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.Phytother. Res.201428111625163110.1002/ptr.517424853120
    [Google Scholar]
  8. SokoloveJ. LepusC.M. Role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis: Latest findings and interpretations.Ther. Adv. Musculoskelet. Dis.201352779410.1177/1759720X1246786823641259
    [Google Scholar]
  9. NdebeleK. GonaP. JinT.G. BenhagaN. ChalahA. EspostiD.M. FarK.R. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induced mitochondrial pathway to apoptosis and caspase activation is potentiated by phospholipid scramblase-3.Apoptosis200813784585610.1007/s10495‑008‑0219‑418491232
    [Google Scholar]
  10. ChoiM.C. JoJ. ParkJ. KangH.K. ParkY. NF-kB signaling pathways in osteoarthritic cartilage destruction.Cells20198773410.3390/cells807073431319599
    [Google Scholar]
  11. RotondoJ.C. MazziottaC. LanzillottiC. StefaniC. BadialeG. CampioneG. MartiniF. TognonM. The role of purinergic P2X7 receptor in inflammation and cancer: Novel molecular insights and clinical applications.Cancers2022145111610.3390/cancers1405111635267424
    [Google Scholar]
  12. CorazzaM. Oton-GonzalezL. ScuderiV. RotondoJ.C. LanzillottiC. Di MauroG. TognonM. MartiniF. BorghiA. Tissue cytokine/chemokine profile in vulvar lichen sclerosus: An observational study on keratinocyte and fibroblast cultures.J. Dermatol. Sci.2020100322322610.1016/j.jdermsci.2020.09.00632998835
    [Google Scholar]
  13. GrässelS. MuschterD. Recent advances in the treatment of osteoarthritis.F100Res20204910.12688/f1000research.22115.1
    [Google Scholar]
  14. KaszkinM. BeckK.F. KochE. ErdelmeierC. KuschS. PfeilschifterJ. LoewD. Downregulation of iNOS expression in rat mesangial cells by special extracts of Harpagophytum procumbens derives from harpagoside-dependent and independent effects.Phytomedicine2004117-858559510.1016/j.phymed.2004.02.00315636171
    [Google Scholar]
  15. LeucomeA. CostaJ.P. Harpagophytum dans l’arthrose. Bude en double insu contre placebo.Magazine1992152730
    [Google Scholar]
  16. SchrüfflerH. Salus Teusferclaw tablets. An advance in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy.Mgazine198012228
    [Google Scholar]
  17. WarnockM. McBeanD. SuterA. TanJ. WhittakerP. Effectiveness and safety of Devil’s Claw tablets in patients with general rheumatic disorders.Phytother. Res.200721121228123310.1002/ptr.228817886223
    [Google Scholar]
  18. BrienS. LewithG.T. McGregorG. Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) as a treatment for osteoarthritis: A review of efficacy and safety.J. Altern. Complement. Med.2006121098199310.1089/acm.2006.12.98117212570
    [Google Scholar]
  19. GxabaN. ManganyiM.C. The fight against infection and pain: Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) a rich source of anti-inflammatory activity: 2011–2022.Molecules20222711363710.3390/molecules2711363735684573
    [Google Scholar]
  20. ESCOP Monographs European Scientific Cooperative On PhytotherapyHarpagophyti radix2nd ed.ThiemeNew York2009135146
    [Google Scholar]
  21. European Medicines AgencyEuropean Union Herbal Monograph on Harpagophyti procumbens DC. and/or H. zeyheri DecneLondonRadix2008
    [Google Scholar]
  22. LohohareS.R. A clinical trial of Boswellia serrata in the treatment of osteoarthritis.J. Indian Assoc.19953113114
    [Google Scholar]
  23. YuG. XiangW. ZhangT. ZengL. YangK. LiJ. Effectiveness of boswellia and boswellia extract for osteoarthritis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC Complement. Med. Ther.202020122510.1186/s12906‑020‑02985‑632680575
    [Google Scholar]
  24. PungleP. BanavalikarM. SutharA. BiyaniM. MengiS. Immunomodulatory activity of boswellic acids of Boswellia serrata Roxb.Indian J. Exp. Biol.200341121460146215320503
    [Google Scholar]
  25. ShaderR.I. ShaderM.D. More thoughts about Boswellia serrata. Clin. Ther.202244111546154710.1016/j.clinthera.2022.09.00736202668
    [Google Scholar]
  26. SailerE.R. SubramanianL.R. RallB. HoernleinR.F. AmmonH.P.T. SafayhiH. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA): Structure requirements for binding and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity.Br. J. Pharmacol.1996117461561810.1111/j.1476‑5381.1996.tb15235.x8646405
    [Google Scholar]
  27. NorooziS. Khadem HaghighianH. AbbasiM. JavadiM. GoodarziS. A review of the therapeutic effects of frankincense.J. Qazvin Univ. Med. Sci.2018221817010.29252/qums.22.1.81
    [Google Scholar]
  28. ESCOP Monographs European Scientific Cooperative On PhytotherapyOlibanum indicum2nd edThiemeNew York2009184197
    [Google Scholar]
  29. JägerA.K. PetersenK.N. ThomasenG. ChristensenS.B. Isolation of linoleic and α -linolenic acids as COX-1 and -2 inhibitors in rose hip.Phytother. Res.200822798298410.1002/ptr.244618389471
    [Google Scholar]
  30. LarsenE. KharazmiA. ChristensenL.P. ChristensenS.B. An antiinflammatory galactolipid from rose hip (Rosa canina) that inhibits chemotaxis of human peripheral blood neutrophils in vitro. J. Nat. Prod.200366799499510.1021/np030063612880322
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Deliorman OrhanD. HartevioğluA. KüpeliE. YesiladaE. in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of the crude extract and fractions from Rosa canina L. fruits.J. Ethnopharmacol.2007112239440010.1016/j.jep.2007.03.02917482395
    [Google Scholar]
  32. ChristensenR. BartelsE.M. AltmanR.D. AstrupA. BliddalH. Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients? – A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Osteoarthritis Cartilage200816996597210.1016/j.joca.2008.03.00118407528
    [Google Scholar]
  33. WarholmO. SkaarS. HedmanE. MølmenH.M. EikL. The effects of a standardized herbal remedy made from a subtype of Rosa canina L. in patients with osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.Curr. Ther. Res. Clin. Exp.2003641213110.1016/S0011‑393X(03)00004‑324944354
    [Google Scholar]
  34. WenzingE.M. WidowitzU. KunertO. BauerR. ChrubasikS. in vitro COX-1, COX-2 and 5-LOX inhibitory activity of rose hips (Rosae pseudofructus sine fructibus). Planta Med.200773844845
    [Google Scholar]
  35. PekacarS. BulutS. ÖzüpekB. OrhanD.D. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of rosehip in inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders and its active molecules.Curr. Mol. Pharmacol.202114573174510.2174/187446721466621080415460434348637
    [Google Scholar]
  36. ESCOP Monographs European Scientific Cooperative On PhytotherapyRosae pseudo-fructus2nd edThiemeNew York2009216221
    [Google Scholar]
  37. ChrubasikS. EisenbergE. BalanE. WeinbergerT. LuzzatiR. ConradtC. Treatment of low back pain exacerbations with willow bark extract: A randomized double-blind study.Am. J. Med.2000109191410.1016/S0002‑9343(00)00442‑310936472
    [Google Scholar]
  38. SchmidB. LüdtkeR. SelbmannH-K. KötterI. TschirdewahnB. SchaffnerW. HeideL. Efficacy and tolerability of a standardized willow bark extract in patients with osteoarthritis: Randomized placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial.Phytother. Res.200115434435010.1002/ptr.98111406860
    [Google Scholar]
  39. ESCOP Monographs. European Scientific Cooperative On PhytotherapySalicis cortex2nd ed2003445451
    [Google Scholar]
  40. EMA, European Medicinal AgencyEuropean Union Herbal Monograph on Salix [various species including S. purpurea L., S. daphnoides Vill., S. fragilis L.].LondonCortex2017
    [Google Scholar]
  41. WeissmannG. Aspirin.Sci. Am.19912641849010.1038/scientificamerican0191‑841899486
    [Google Scholar]
  42. EMA, European Medicinal AgencyEuropean Union Herbal Monograph on Filipendula ulmaria L. Maxim.LondonHerba2011
    [Google Scholar]
  43. European Medicinal Agency. European Union Herbal Monograph on Filipendula ulmaria L.The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicine Products. Filipendulae ulmariae herba.Maxim. HerbaLondon201416
    [Google Scholar]
  44. RammS. HansenC. Arthrose: Brennesselblätter-Exrekt IDS 23 spart NSAR ein.Jatros. Ortho.1997122933
    [Google Scholar]
  45. RammS. HansenC. Stinging nettle extract for reumatic complaints.Dtsch. Apoth. Ztg.199513558
    [Google Scholar]
  46. Abd-NikfarjamB. AbbasiM. MemarzadehM. FarzamS.A. JamshidianA. Dolati-SomarinA. Therapeutic efficacy of Urtica dioica and evening primrose in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.J. Herb. Med.20223210055610.1016/j.hermed.2022.100556
    [Google Scholar]
  47. MarottiI. FrassinetiE. TrebbiG. AlpiM. D’AmenE. DinelliG. Health-promoting phytochemicals of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) grown under organic farming in Italian environments.Ind. Crops Prod.202218211490310.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114903
    [Google Scholar]
  48. NematgorganiS. AgahS. ShidfarF. GohariM. FaghihiA. Effects of Urtica dioica leaf extract on inflammation, oxidative stress, ESR, blood cell count and quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.J. Herb. Med.20179324110.1016/j.hermed.2017.05.002
    [Google Scholar]
  49. European Scientific Cooperative On PhytotherapyUrticae folium/ herba.2nd edNew YorkThieme2003521527
    [Google Scholar]
  50. European Medicines AgencyEuropean Union Herbal Monograph on Urtica dioica L., U. urens, L.LondonFolium2008
    [Google Scholar]
  51. European Medicines AgencyEuropean Union Herbal Monograph on Urtica dioica L., U. urens, L.LondonHerba2007
    [Google Scholar]
  52. AasvangE.K. HansenJ.B. MalmstrømJ. AsmussenT. GennevoisD. StruysM.M.R.F. KehletH. The effect of wound instillation of a novel purified capsaicin formulation on postherniotomy pain: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.Anesth. Analg.2008107128229110.1213/ane.0b013e31816b94c918635499
    [Google Scholar]
  53. AhujaK.D.K. BallM.J. Effects of daily ingestion of chilli on serum lipoprotein oxidation in adult men and women.Br. J. Nutr.200696223924210.1079/BJN2006178816923216
    [Google Scholar]
  54. AhujaK.D.K. RobertsonI.K. GeraghtyD.P. BallM.J. The effect of 4-week chilli supplementation on metabolic and arterial function in humans.Eur. J. Clin. Nutr.200761332633310.1038/sj.ejcn.160251716929238
    [Google Scholar]
  55. AkagiA. SanoN. UeharaH. MinamiT. OtsukaH. IzumiK. Non-carcinogenicity of capsaicinoids in B6C3F1 mice.Food Chem. Toxicol.199836121065107110.1016/S0278‑6915(98)00077‑59862648
    [Google Scholar]
  56. ESCOP Monographs European Scientific Cooperative On PhytotherapyCapsici fructus2nd ed.ThiemeNew York20092035
    [Google Scholar]
  57. EMA European Medicines AgencyCommittee on Herbal Medicinal Products. Capsicum annuum L. var. minimum (Miller) Heiser and small fruited varieties of Capsicum frutescens L.LondonFructus2015
    [Google Scholar]
  58. ChanhP.H. IfansyahN. ChahineR. ChalfounM.A. GleyeJ. MoulisC. Comparative effects of total flavonoids extracted from Ribes nigrum leaves, rutin and isoquercitrin on biosynthesis and release of prostaglandins in the ex-vivo rabbit heart.Prostaglandins Leukot. Med.198622329530010.1016/0262‑1746(86)90140‑X3460101
    [Google Scholar]
  59. ESCOP Monographs European Scientific Cooperative On PhytotherapyRibis nigri folium2nd ed.ThiemeNew York2009425428
    [Google Scholar]
  60. European Medicines AgencyEuropean Union Herbal Monograph on Ribis nigri L.LondonFolium2009
    [Google Scholar]
  61. GrubeB. GrünwaldJ. KrugL. StaigerC. Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. radix) extract ointment in the treatment of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee: Results of a double-blind, randomised, bicenter, placebo-controlled trial.Phytomedicine200714121010.1016/j.phymed.2006.11.00617169543
    [Google Scholar]
  62. European Medicines AgencyAssessment report on Symphytum officinale L.LondonRadix2015
    [Google Scholar]
  63. ESCOP Monographs. The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicine ProductsSymphyti radix. Comfrey rootOnline Series201216
    [Google Scholar]
  64. HewlingsS. KalmanD. Curcumin: A review of its effects on human health.Foods20176109210.3390/foods610009229065496
    [Google Scholar]
  65. HenrotinY. MalaiseM. WittoekR. de VlamK. BrasseurJ.P. LuytenF.P. JiangangQ. Van den BergheM. UhodaR. BentinJ. De VroeyT. ErpicumL. DonneauA.F. DierckxsensY. Bio-optimized Curcuma longa extract is efficient on knee osteoarthritis pain: A double-blind multicenter randomized placebo controlled three-arm study.Arthritis Res. Ther.201921117910.1186/s13075‑019‑1960‑531351488
    [Google Scholar]
  66. BarbalhoS.M. AkuriM.C. ValR. GuiguerE. Reflections about osteoarthritis and Curcuma longa. Pharmacogn. Rev.2017112181210.4103/phrev.phrev_54_1628503046
    [Google Scholar]
  67. MoranP.M. FernandezM.J. TortosaR.C. TortosaR.M.C. Curcumin and health.Molecules201621326410.3390/molecules2103026426927041
    [Google Scholar]
  68. European Medicines AgencyEuropean Union herbal monograph on Curcuma longaLondonRhizoma2018
    [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/ctmc/10.2174/0115680266297662240527105450
Loading
/content/journals/ctmc/10.2174/0115680266297662240527105450
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test