Harpgophytum procumbens for osteoarthritis and low back pain: a systematic review.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The objective of this review is to determine the effectiveness of Harpagophytum procumbens preparations in the treatment of various forms of musculoskeletal pain.

METHODS:

Several databases and other sources were searched to identify randomized controlled trials, quasi-randomized controlled trials, and controlled clinical trials testing Harpagophytum preparations in adults suffering from pain due to osteoarthritis or low back pain.

RESULTS:

Given the clinical heterogeneity and insufficient data for statistical pooling, trials were described in a narrative way, taking into consideration methodological quality scores. Twelve trials were included with six investigating osteoarthritis (two were identical trials), four low back pain, and three mixed-pain conditions.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is limited evidence for an ethanolic Harpagophytum extract containing less than <30 mg harpagoside per day in the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis. There is moderate evidence of effectiveness for (1) the use of a Harpagophytum powder at 60 mg harpagoside in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the spine, hip and knee; (2) the use of an aqueous Harpagophytum extract at a daily dose of 100 mg harpagoside in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic non-specific low back pain; and (3) the use of an aqueous extract of Harpagophytum procumbens at 60 mg harpagoside being non-inferior to 12.5 mg rofecoxib per day for chronic non-specific low-back pain (NSLBP) in the short term. Strong evidence exists for the use of an aqueous Harpagophytum extract at a daily dose equivalent of 50 mg harpagoside in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic NSLBP.

• Authors: Joel J Gagnier, Sigrun Chrubasik, Eric Manheimer
• Journal: BMC complementary and alternative medicine (BMC Complement Altern Med) Vol. 4 Pg. 13 (Sep 15 2004) ISSN: 1472-6882 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 15369596 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Glycosides
• Plant Extracts
• Plant Preparations
• Powders
• Pyrans
• harpagoside

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (therapeutic use)
• Arthralgia (therapy)
• Chronic Disease
• Glycosides (therapeutic use)
• Harpagophytum
• Humans
• Low Back Pain (therapy)
• Osteoarthritis (therapy)
• Pain Measurement
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Extracts (therapeutic use)
• Plant Preparations
• Plant Roots
• Powders
• Pyrans (therapeutic use)