A combination of Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu extracts for short-term symptomatic relief of joint discomfort associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.

The extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu have been shown in previous studies to alleviate joint discomfort, reduce stiffness, and improve mobility by reducing the production of proinflammatory molecules over long periods of supplementation. The acute effects of intake of these extracts have not yet been investigated. Thus, we carried out a 1 week clinical trial to examine the extent to which UP446-a natural proprietary blend of S. baicalensis and A. catechu (UP446)-decreases knee joint pain, mobility, and biomarkers of inflammation in comparison to naproxen. Seventy-nine men and women (40-90 years old) diagnosed as having mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA) consumed either 500 mg/day of the UP446 supplement or 440 mg/day of naproxen for 1 week in a double-blind randomized control trial. Pain, knee range of motion (ROM), and overall physical activity were evaluated at the start and at the end of treatment. Fasting blood was collected to determine serum interleukins 1ß and 6, tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein, and hyaluronic acid. The UP446 group experienced a significant decrease in perceived pain (P=.009) time dependently. Stiffness was significantly reduced by both treatments (P=.002 UP446, P=.008 naproxen). Significant increases in mean ROM over time (P=.04) were found in the UP446 group. These findings suggest that UP446 is effective in reducing the physical symptoms associated with knee OA.

The role of vitamin E in reversing bone loss.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A positive correlation between intake of antioxidants including vitamins E and C on bone mass has been established by a number of investigators. The present study was conducted to evaluate the extent to which higher doses of vitamin E than normal dose (75 IU per kg diet) can reverse bone loss in aged osteopenic orchidectomized male rats. METHODS: Forty 12-month old male Sprague- Dawley rats were either sham-operated (Sham) or orchidectomized (Orx), and fed control diet for 120 days to establish bone loss. Thereafter, rats were assigned to their corresponding treatment groups (n= 10 per group): Sham and one Orx groups received 75 IU vitamin E and served as controls, and the other two Orx groups received either 250 or 500 IU vitamin E per kg diet for 90 days. RESULTS: Higher doses of vitamin E did not improve bone mineral density (BMD) or content (BMC) of whole body, femur and lumbar vertebra or alter the orchidectomy-induced deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture of the distal femur metaphysis in comparison with Orx controls that received adequate vitamin E. Biochemical markers of bone formation and bone resorption, i.e. serum osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslinks, were also unaffected by vitamin E supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings of the present study suggest that supplemental doses of vitamin E do not increase BMD values in male rat model of osteoporosis. However, human studies are needed to confirm the population findings indicating that individuals with higher vitamin E intake have higher bone mass.

Chronic disease self-management program for low back pain in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of Stanford's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) for chronic low back pain (LBP) in older Americans. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Community-based program offered at 12 locations. SUBJECTS: Community-dwelling seniors (n = 109) aged 60 and older with chronic LBP of mechanical origin. METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated to the CDSMP or to a 6-month, wait-list control group. The program included one 2.5-hour session per week for 6 weeks. Outcomes evaluated at 6 months included 100-point modified Von Korff pain and disability scales; days with pain and disability; SF-36 general health, energy-fatigue, and emotional well-being scales; 2 scales from the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, self-care attitudes/behaviors, and health services utilization. RESULTS: For pain at 6 months, the primary outcome, the adjusted mean difference between the program and control, was -1.0 (P = .835). There was a sizable advantage for the program in disability averaged over the course of the entire 6-month study (-9.2, P = .027), but not at the 6-month follow-up (-5.8, P = .278). There was an interaction between intervention and baseline disability days favoring the program for higher baseline values (P = .007). The CDSMP affected emotional well-being (7.6, P = .037) and energy-fatigue (5.1, P = .274). There were no differences for self-efficacy, pain days, and general health. CONCLUSION: There was no advantage for the CDSMP over a wait-list control for improving pain, general health, self-efficacy, and self-care attitudes in older Americans with chronic LBP. A benefit was suggested for emotional well-being, fatigue, functional disability, and days with disability.