A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of Andrographis paniculata standardized extract (ParActin®) on pain reduction in subjects with knee osteoarthritis.

Andrographis paniculata Wall (Acanthaceae) is becoming more recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to assess the efficacy of an andrographolide-containing supplement, ParActin® (300 and 600 mg daily), on Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain reduction in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Joint stiffness, physical function, changes in the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, a fatigue scale, and safety were also evaluated. A total of 103 male and female patients with I-II osteoarthritis of the knee joint were assessed. Patients treated with 300 or 600 mg/day of ParActin® showed a significant reduction in pain at days 28, 56, and 84 compared with a placebo group. WOMAC stiffness scores, physical function score, and the fatigue score showed a significant improvement in both ParActin®-treated groups compared with the placebo group. At the end of the study, the quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) scores showed significant improvements in both ParActin®-treated groups compared with the placebo group. Overall, it can be concluded that ParActin® in 300 and 600 mg/day dosages were found to be effective and safe in reducing pain in individuals suffering from mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.

Prevalence of risk factors of noncommunicable diseases in a rural population of district Gautam-Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh using the World Health Organization STEPS approach.

CONTEXT: Globally, it is estimated that by 2020, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) will account for 73% of deaths and 60% of disease burden. India is in the midst of an epidemiological transition leading to increasing the prevalence of NCDs. Targeting the risk factors for NCDs is recognized as an essential preventive strategy. AIMS: The rationale of this study was to decipher the baseline data on the prevalence of NCD risk factors among the rural population. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 207 adults in the rural catchment area of the Department of Community Medicine. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The World Health Organization STEPS approach was employed which includes three sequential phases: Collection of information on sociodemographic variables and behavioral risk factors (STEP 1), obtaining physical measurements (STEP 2), and acquiring biochemical measurements (STEP 3). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 16. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the study subjects, the prevalence of smoking, smokeless tobacco use, alcohol use, and sedentary lifestyle was 26.0%, 35.1%, 16.9%, and 9.6%, respectively, in males and 4.6%, 15.4%, 0.0%, and 19.0%, respectively, in females. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was 15.6% and 13.0% respectively among males and 20.0% and 7.7% respectively among females. Hypercholesterolemia and Hypertriglyceridemia were observed in 5.2% men and 13.8% women and 22.1% men and 16.9% women, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals high burden of NCD risk factors in rural areas as well and reiterates the need to take preventive measures.