Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Zanthoxylum piperitum Leaf Extract against Mild Degenerative Osteoarthritis of Knee: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Copyright © 2021 The Society of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation Objectives Degenerative osteoarthritis of knee is a disease with an increasing number of patients worldwide and its general treatments have some side effects. Methods 102 subjects were classified into test group 1, test group 2, and control group, and clinical trial products were taken for 12 weeks. The effectiveness was evaluated with changes in visual analogue scale, Korean-Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2. Results Both test group 1 and test group 2 were effective in reducing the pain of degenerative osteoarthritis of knee, and only test group 2 was effective in improving the ability to perform daily activities. No clinically significant changes were observed for any safety parameter. Conclusions In conclusion, the data of this study indicate that Zanthoxylum piperitum leaf extract has effectiveness and safety against mild degenerative osteoarthritis of knee. (J Korean Med Rehabil 2021;31(4):167-191)