The dietary supplement Cyplexinol® alleviates joint pain in men and women.

Background and aim: Joint pain afflicts millions of adults worldwide. The effect of a bone morphogenetic protein complex on joint pain is assessed in this study.

Methods: We compared the impact of a dietary supplement protein complex (Cyplexinol^®) and placebo in 18 men and women (aged 43 ± 10 years) with self-reported joint pain. Subjects were randomly assigned to each condition, consumed twice daily for 14 days (900 mg/day). Subjects completed questionnaires (e.g., Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and subjective pain using a visual analog scale [VAS]) at the start and end of each treatment phase. Blood samples were analyzed for bone morphogenic protein (BMP), alkaline phosphatase, and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and TGF-β). Blood was also collected on days 1 and 15 to determine the acute impact of treatment on these measures.

Results: Pain and discomfort scores improved (P ≤ 0.05) for subjects following use of Cyplexinol^® but not placebo. Improvements were noted for WOMAC pain (P = 0.05), stiffness (P = 0.039), and total pain (P = 0.026), as well as VAS pain (P = 0.015), recreational activity interference (P = 0.023), mood interference (P = 0.012), and total pain (P = 0.024). A trend was noted for WOMAC physical function (P = 0.052). An approximate 50% increase in BMP5 was noted following Cyplexinol^® (P = 0.01), with a similar increase noted for placebo (P = 0.022). A near doubling in TGF-β (P = 0.001) was noted for Cyplexinol^®. No other changes of significance were noted across time, nor were any differences noted in cytokines following acute intake of the conditions (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Cyplexinol^® can alleviate joint pain in middle-aged men and women, while elevating BMP5 and TGF-β. Cyplexinol^® does not influence cytokines, at least within a short 2-week supplementation period or within the 2-h post-ingestion period.

Relevance for patients: Individuals suffering with joint pain in the knee and/or hip may benefit from daily use of Cyplexinol^®, as we observed decreased pain and stiffness following treatment.