Clinical study to evaluate the therapeutic safety and efficacy of Pyrethrum indicum L. in primary knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Mir I. Hanief; Shameem A. Rather; Fouzia Farooq; Zarfah Fida; N. Z. Ahmed

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263706

Authors

Mir I. Hanief Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), New Delhi, India
Shameem A. Rather Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Naseem Bagh, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Fouzia Farooq Department of ENT, Government Unani Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Zarfah Fida Department of Moalajat, Institute of Asian Medical Sciences, Zakura, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
N. Z. Ahmed Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), New Delhi, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20263706

Keywords:

Knee osteoarthritis, Unani formulation, Pyrethrum indicum L., Glucosamine sulphate

Abstract

Background: Primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disorder characterized by pain, stiffness, and functional limitation due to progressive cartilage degeneration and inflammation. Conventional therapies such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), COX-inhibitors, corticosteroids etc. provide symptomatic relief but may have limited long-term efficacy and potential adverse effects. Consequently, interest in complementary and alternative medicine has increased. Pyrethrum indicum L. (Bozidān), traditionally used in Unani medicine for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, has limited clinical evidence regarding its safety and efficacy in knee OA. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic safety and efficacy of Pyrethrum indicum L. in participants with primary knee OA.

Methods: An open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 participants aged 40-70 years diagnosed with primary knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade I and II). Participants were randomly allocated to a test group or a control group. The study received approval from the institutional ethics committee (IEC No. RRIUM-SGR/MD-2018/CT/WR/OA/BD) and was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2021/03/032178). The test group received Pyrethrum indicum L. (5 grams once daily), while the control group received tablet glucosamine sulfate (1500 mg once daily) for 45 days.

Results: The test group showed significant improvement in pain, swelling, tenderness, and restriction of movement compared with the control group. A significantly greater reduction in the overall WOMAC score was also observed in the test group.

Conclusions: Pyrethrum indicum L. was well tolerated and demonstrated greater short-term symptomatic improvement compared with glucosamine sulfate in participants with primary knee OA.

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