Early relief of osteoarthritis symptoms with a natural mineral supplement and a herbomineral combination: a randomized controlled trial

Miller MJ, Mehta K, Kunte S, Raut V, Gala J

Published in Journal of Inflammation (London)

Methodology

Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in 107 patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis comparing sierrasil alone, sierrasil plus 100 mg/day Uncaria guianensis (cat's claw) extract, and placebo over 8 weeks; WOMAC and VAS primary outcomes

Key Findings

All four groups improved on WOMAC and VAS at 8 weeks; the active groups showed greater improvement than placebo (WOMAC total 38-43% vs 27%) but the difference was not statistically significant, with the cat's claw combination showing faster onset of relief.

Conclusions

Adding cat's claw extract to a mineral supplement did not produce a statistically significant advantage over placebo for knee osteoarthritis, although onset of symptom relief appeared faster.

Limitations

Placebo response was large; cat's claw tested only as part of a combination product at a low 100 mg dose; 8-week duration; 16 of 107 patients did not complete.

Supplements Studied

Cats Claw

Herb

All four groups showed improvement in WOMAC and VAS scores after 8 weeks (p < 0.001), in all 3 groups receiving sierrasil the magnitude of benefits were greater vs. placebo (WOMAC Total 38-43% vs. 27%) but this was not statistically significant.