Volume 33, Issue 161 (November & December 2025)                   J Adv Med Biomed Res 2025, 33(161): 347-357 | Back to browse issues page

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Alipour H, Qaraaty M, Sedighi S, Rajabi A, Kamalinejad M. Efficacy of Topical Elaeagnus angustifolia Fruit Extract Gel Add-On Treatment in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Adv Med Biomed Res 2025; 33 (161) :347-357
URL: http://journal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-7707-en.html
1- Clinical Research Development Center, Sayad Shirazi Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
2- Clinical Research Development Center, Sayad Shirazi Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran & Traditional Medicine and Materia Medica Research Center and Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Bones Joint and Connective Tissue Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
4- Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Faculty of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
5- School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , mkamalinejad@yahoo.com
Abstract:   (236 Views)

Background & Objective: Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent cause of joint pain and limited mobility in older adults. It is a degenerative joint disease with inflammatory features. Current treatments mainly alleviate symptoms but do not halt disease progression. The fruit extract of Elaeagnus angustifolia (EL) contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phytochemicals, including flavonoids, which may inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. This randomized, double-blind clinical trial evaluated whether a standardized topical EL gel, as an adjunct to diclofenac, could reduce pain and stiffness and improve function in knee osteoarthritis.
 Materials & Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 112 patients aged 40 to 75 years with grade II–III osteoarthritis received diclofenac (25 mg, twice daily) for 8 weeks. The intervention group additionally applied EL fruit gel, while the control group used a placebo gel. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).
Results:  The mean differences in osteoarthritis symptoms and daily activity in the intervention group after 8 weeks showed significant improvements (P < 0.001) compared to baseline, with changes of 1.19 ± 0.17 and 2.50 ± 2.16, respectively. Additionally, significant reductions in stiffness (P = 0.03) and pain symptoms (P = 0.03) were observed in the intervention group compared to the placebo group, with changes of -0.69 ± 0.32 and -2.71 ± 1.26, respectively.
Conclusion:  Topical EL fruit extract gel significantly reduced pain and stiffness compared to placebo. Its favorable safety profile supports the need for further large-scale trials to confirm efficacy and evaluate long-term safety.

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Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Clinical Medicine
Received: 2025/05/22 | Accepted: 2025/10/26 | Published: 2025/12/12

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