Cryptolepis buchanani known as Thao En On in Thai, is a large, laticiferous, woody climbing perennial found in evergreen forests. It is widely used as a folk medicine in Southeast Asia in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as muscle pain and arthritis.
Cryptolepis buchanani oil (CBO), consisting of C. buchanani, as a major ingredient, in combination with a selection of other Thai herbs.
The objective of the present study was, therefore, to compare the relative efficacy and safety of topical CBO with indomethacin solution, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used topically in the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
The results of this clinical trial were published in the journal of Herbal Medicine.
Here are the study details:
– Study Design – prospective, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study
– 169 human subjects were enrolled in the study
– 154 human subjects completed the study
– The study lasted 4 weeks
– A topical formula of buchananioil was used for the study
– A 1% indomethacin (anti-inflammatory) was used as an active control for the study
Here are the main results:
Walking pain after 4 weeks: Patients with C. Buchanani improved from -14.8 to -36.7 while indomethacin improved from -13.5 to -36.51.
Adverse Events: Indomethacin had 24 patients with pruritis (itchiness) and 18 patients develop a rash. C. Buchanani had 9 patients experience a puritis and 7 patients experience a rash.
Take away message: The C. buchanani oil formulation was found to be as effective as an anti-inflammatory drug (indomethacin) in treating osteoarthritis of the knee. Interestingly, less adverse events (itchiness and rash) with C. buchanani oil than indomethacin. The results of this study suggest C. buchanani was equivalent to an anti-inflammatory drug.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Arthritis, Clinical Trials, Inflammation, Plant Medicine
Clinical trial with burdock tea tested in patients with arthritis