Polyphenols show therapeutic potential in osteoarthritis

Polyphenols may offer a promising alternative treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), with the results of a meta-analysis showing that its use lessens symptoms while reducing safety risks.

Researchers accessed multiple online databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing polyphenols against nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or placebo in OA patients. A total of 18 RCTs, which yielded a total population of 1,724 patients, met the inclusion criteria.

Obtained using random-effect models, pooled data showed that compared with placebo, polyphenol products conferred significant benefits for pain relief (standardized mean difference [SMD], –1.11, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], –1.35 to –0.87) and functional improvement (SMD, –1.14, 95 percent CI, –1.38 to –0.90). Safety outcomes were similar.

Likewise, efficacy outcomes did not differ between polyphenols and NSAIDs. However, patients treated with polyphenols had a lower but nonsignificant risk of experiencing gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Notably, the combination of polyphenols and NSAIDs was much more effective compared with NSAIDs alone.

Despite the encouraging findings, its generalizability may be limited by the quality and sample size of the available research, as well as the heterogeneity between RCTs, according to the researchers. As such, high-quality clinical trials are warranted before clinical practice recommendations can be made.

A chronic and degenerative disorder, OA is associated with joint pain and loss of joint function. In the affected patients, polyphenols could yield articular benefits through the inhabitation of key inflammatory pathways.