Study: Supplement Reduces Pain of OA

With all of the concern about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) these days, it makes sense to look toward a natural pain-relief alternative. Promisia Integrative Limited, a New Zealand company, is doing just that. The company has announced positive results from a clinical trial on their natural dietary supplement, Arthrem. The results the 12 week randomized, controlled trial, published in the latest issue of Clinical Rheumatology, found that in participants with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee, use of Arthrem resulted in a reduction of pain and stiffness and an increase in physical function. The study’s principal investigator and lead author was Dr. Simon Stebbings with the Rheumatology Research Unit at Dunedin School of Medicine, Otago University.

“The published results show that the natural product, Arthrem, has potential as an anti-inflammatory/analgesic in osteoarthritis, ” said Dr. Sheena Hunt, study co-author and principal scientist for Promisia, in the December 30, 2016 news release. “In patients taking one Arthrem capsule twice a day, pain and stiffness were significantly reduced and physical function significantly improved. Particularly positive results were observed in a subset of patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis (as opposed to severe osteoarthritis). In this subgroup, the average magnitude of pain after 12 weeks of taking Arthrem was less than half of the value at the start of the study. Arthrem at this dose was also well tolerated with no treatment-related side effects.”

The study used the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), as well as a visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess joint pain.

“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, Promisia’s chief executive.

Referring to analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen) and NSAIDs, Dr. Hunt noted, “While these medicines are effective at reducing pain, they are not recommended for long-term use because of the potential for toxicities and adverse events.”

As indicated in the news release, “Arthrem contains a unique herbal extract from the plant Artemisia annua. This herb, also known as Qinghaosu, has been part of Chinese medicine for more than 2, 000 years.”

“Promisia Integrative Ltd is a company focused on developing and marketing unique therapeutic natural products with proven safety and efficacy from robust scientific data. Their goal is to add scientific methodology and validity to an industry that is often perceived as unscientific.”