Condition
Arthritis (Multiple Kinds)
Arthritis is joint inflammation, most often osteoarthritis, where cartilage wears down, or rheumatoid arthritis, where the immune system attacks the joints. Omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin have the strongest evidence for easing joint pain and inflammation, and in rheumatoid arthritis, GLA from evening primrose or borage oil reduced pain, swelling and morning stiffness. Thunder god vine lowered rheumatoid disease activity, though toxicity concerns limit it, and most other options have less evidence.
Sources: PMID 24672232; PMID 9732298; PMID 23957087
- Supplements studied
- 11
- Graded outcomes
- 10
- Trials
- 1
- People studied
- 15
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Multiple human clinical trials demonstrate that GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) supplementation from evening primrose or borage oil reduces joint pain, swelling, and morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis. GLA is converted to DGLA and subsequently to anti-inflammatory series-1 prostaglandins, providing a mechanistic basis for these effects. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 2 studies | |||
Studies that measured rheumatoid arthritis symptoms | ||||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Multiple human studies demonstrate significant reduction in RA disease activity. A comprehensive review concluded that Lei Gong Teng and its active metabolites show robust anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects in RA patients, with efficacy considered proven but limited by toxicity concerns. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 2 studies | 150 people | ||
Studies that measured rheumatoid arthritis symptoms | ||||||
Phellodendron amurense
- Osteoarthritis Symptoms: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis Symptoms A pilot double-blind RCT (Oben et al. 2009, n=45 completers) of Phellodendron + Citrus sinensis extract showed significant improvement in Lequesne Algofunctional Index scores at 8 weeks (p<0.0001) and 49% CRP reduction in overweight subjects (p<0.001). In vitro studies demonstrate Phellodendron amurense inhibits IL-1α-induced cartilage degradation and suppresses MMP-1, -3, -13 in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 3 studies | 45 people | ||
Studies that measured osteoarthritis symptoms
| ||||||
Terminalia Chebula
- Joint Pain and Mobility: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Pain and Mobility A double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT (n=105 overweight adults) found standardized T. chebula extract (AyuFlex, 250-500 mg BID for 84 days) significantly improved knee joint comfort, 6-minute walk distance, and overall joint function scores compared to placebo. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 1 study | 105 people | ||
Pyritinol
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Multiple human RCTs have investigated pyritinol's anti-inflammatory effects in rheumatoid arthritis, an unusual indication for a compound marketed as a nootropic. Some trials report modest reductions in inflammatory markers and symptom scores, though the evidence base remains limited and this use has not been widely adopted. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 200 people |
Salidrosides
- Joint and Cartilage Degeneration: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint and Cartilage Degeneration In rat models of osteoarthritis, salidroside relieved symptoms in the early acute stage and alleviated cartilage degeneration through NF-κB pathway modulation. No human clinical data is available for this outcome. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 6 studies | |||
Studies that measured joint and cartilage degeneration | ||||||
Loquat
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory Effects In animal models of acute and chronic inflammation, loquat leaf extract reduced leukocyte infiltration, paw edema, and hyperalgesia. Ursolic acid suppressed hepatic oxidative stress and AGE formation in diabetic mice via the LKB1/AMPK/FOXO3 pathway. In vitro studies show inhibition of phospholipase A2, COX-2, and iNOS expression. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 4 studies | |||
Studies that measured anti-inflammatory effects | ||||||
Piperine
- Anti-arthritic Effects: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-arthritic Effects In vitro studies using IL-1beta-stimulated human fibroblast-like synoviocytes showed piperine dose-dependently inhibited PGE2 production, IL-6, and MMP13 expression, and blocked AP-1 nuclear migration. In a rat adjuvant arthritis model, piperine significantly reduced nociceptive behavior and inflammatory ankle joint pathology. No human clinical trials have been conducted. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 3 studies | |||
Studies that measured anti-arthritic effects
| ||||||
Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Osteoarthritis Pain and Cartilage Degradation: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis Pain and Cartilage Degradation A single animal study found that L. acidophilus ameliorated pain and cartilage degradation in an experimental osteoarthritis model, suggesting potential anti-inflammatory effects on joint tissue. No human clinical trials have been reported for this indication. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 2 studies | |||
Studies that measured osteoarthritis pain and cartilage degradation | ||||||
Paederia foetida
- Inflammation: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflammation Preclinical data suggest anti-inflammatory activity of Paederia foetida extracts. Evidence is limited to early-stage in vitro or animal models with no human confirmation. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect |
Valerian
- Sleep Quality: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep Quality | Improves (the measure goes up) | 6 studies | 15 people | |||
Key findings
- Rheumatoid Arthritis SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
- Osteoarthritis SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
- Joint Pain and MobilityImproves (the measure goes down)
Safety notes in the studies
- A comprehensive review concluded that Lei Gong Teng and its active metabolites show robust anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects in RA patients, with efficacy considered proven but limited by toxicity concerns.
The Arthritis General Support protocol
2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids3–4 g EPA+DHA daily
- Curcumin500–1,000 mg enhanced-absorption curcumin 2–3 times daily
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Studies cited
29 studies from PubMed
- A novel SPE-LC-MRM strategy for serum demethylzeylasteral quantitation developed with an 18O-labeled internal standard
- Network pharmacology analysis combined with experimental validation to explore the therapeutic mechanism of salidroside on intestine ischemia reperfusion.
- Salidroside in the Treatment of NAFLD/NASH.
- Safety of a Sustainably Produced, Bioengineered, Nature-Identical Salidroside Compound.
- Protective mechanisms of loquat leaf extract and ursolic acid against diabetic pro-inflammation
- Salidroside Alleviates Cartilage Degeneration Through NF-κB Pathway in Osteoarthritis Rats.
- Contribution of salidroside to the relieve of symptom and sign in the early acute stage of osteoarthritis in rat model.
- Eriobotrya japonica leaf extract attenuates airway inflammation in ovalbumin-induced mice model of asthma
- Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity in extract from the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica
- Lactobacillus acidophilus ameliorates pain and cartilage degradation in experimental osteoarthritis
- Effects of a standardized aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula (AyuFlex) on joint comfort, functional mobility, and related biomarkers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Inhibitory effect of the extract of Phellodendron amurense Ruprecht root on collagen-induced arthritis in mice
- Salidroside exhibits anti-dengue virus activity by upregulating host innate immune factors.
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Eriobotrya japonica leaves extracts
- Effects of resveratrol alone or in combination with piperine on cerebral blood flow parameters and cognitive performance in human subjects: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over investigation
- Traditional immunosuppression--Lei Gong Teng in modern medicine
- Piperine reverses high fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in mice
- Effect of Phellodendron amurense in protecting human osteoarthritic cartilage and chondrocytes
- Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. casei mix sensitize colorectal tumoral cells to 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis
- Anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects of piperine in human interleukin 1beta-stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes and in rat arthritis models
- Phellodendron and Citrus extracts benefit joint health in osteoarthritis patients: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Fatty acids, the immune response, and autoimmunity: a question of n-6 essentiality and the balance between n-6 and n-3.
- Importance of dietary gamma-linolenic acid in human health and nutrition.
- A feasibility study of valerian extract for sleep disturbance in person with arthritis
- The effects of valerian root on hot flashes in menopausal women
- The use of Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) in improving sleep in patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer: a phase III randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study (NCCTG Trial, N01C5)
- Effectiveness of Valerian on insomnia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials
- Aqueous extract of valerian reduces latency to fall asleep in man
- Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis.