Data published in the Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research indicated that one gram per day of Natreon’s AyuFlex standardized aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula (TCE) significantly improved joint discomfort.
Reductions in joint discomfort were also observed when given in combination with a proprietary chromium complex (PCC), which was found to improve joint discomfort in dogs in a previous clinical study at Murray State University in Kentucky.
“Both TCE and the PCC, when given individually, have shown reductions in the efficacy variables, but the predicted synergism of their combination was not observed,” wrote researchers from Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, India. “Further, TCE 500 mg twice daily group produced a highly significant reduction in outcome parameters both statistically and clinically as compared to all other treatment groups.
“It was interesting to note that TCE was devoid of significant gastrointestinal side effects, which are normally observed with the use of NSAIDs. Further studies with TCE in osteoarthritis and other painful rheumatologic conditions are needed to confirm their therapeutic potential.”
Study details
The researchers recruited 100 healthy human volunteers suffering from joint discomfort for at least 6 months to participate in their randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study. Participants were randomly divided into five groups: AyuFlex 500 mg per day; AyuFlex 1 g per day; AyuFlex 1 g per day + PCC 400 micrograms per day; PCC only (400 micrograms per day); or placebo for 12 weeks.
Joint discomfort was measured using the modified Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (mWOMAC), knee swelling index (KSI), and visual analog scale (VAS).
Results showed that all five groups exhibited significant reductions in mWOMAC score, KSI, VAS for pain, stiffness, and disability compared to baseline.
Only the AyuFlex 1 gram per day group showed significant reductions compared with placebo at 12 weeks, with improvements in mWOMAC scores of 36% compared to 4.5% in the placebo group, and significant reductions in KSI and VAS pain, stiffness, and disability compared to placebo.
The combination of TCE and PCC resulted in significant reductions in mWOMAC scores compared to placebo and PCC alone, added the researchers.
In addition, the number of rescue medications (acetaminophen) used by subjects was the least in the AyuFlex 1 g per day group, they said.
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Source: Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research
Volume 9, Issue 3, Pages 264-269
“A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group clinical study to evaluate the analgesic effects of aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula, a proprietary chromium complex, and their combination in subjects with joint discomfort”
Authors: C. Nutalapati, et al.