ALTERNATIVE NEWS WATCH

CAT'S CLAW FOR ARTHRITIS
Two small clinical studies have suggested that the herb may have benefits in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Hypotheses to its mechanism of action include: (1) mmunomodulation via suppression of the tumor necrosis factor. (2) Enhancement of DNA repair and immune cell responses through regulation of the nuclear transcription factor-ß(NF-ß) which controls nuclear events and also controls postinflammatory cytokine production. (3) Reduction in PGE2 production, which they attributed to an inhibition of cyclooxygenase -2 expression. Of interest, is that the Amazonian herbal not only treats arthritis but also reduces the side effects of NSAIDS on the stomach and intestine.

Nancy Walsh. Internal Medicine News. June 2005

ORAL GLUCOSAMINE DELAYS KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

Karel Pavelka, MD, reported at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology, that the use of oral glucosamine by patients with osteoarthritis resulted in a marked reduction of knee replacement surgery for at least 5 years after the drug is stopped. He presented a 5-year follow-up on a double-blind placebo-controlled trial involving 202 patients randomized to glucosamine 1,500 mg once daily or placebo for 5 years.

The glucosamine group had beneficial, radiographically measurable changes in joint structure that persisted for years after the treatment. This is exciting news, on already accumulating data, for a disease-modifying drug in osteoarthritis.

Bruce Jancin. Denver Bureau. Internal Medicine News. Aug 2005

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS
Glucosamine
Chondroitin
Glucosamine/Chondroitin Combinations
5-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe)
Cetyl Myristoleate
Ginger
DMSO
Boron
Other Herbs/Supplements

In the U.S., more is spent on alternative therapies for osteoarthritis than any other medical condition. Both glucosamine and chondroitin have been shown to have antiinflammatory pain-reducing benefits with fewer side effects compared to NSAIDS. SAMe, may be as effective as NSAIDS with less side effects, but is more expensive. Studies on DMSO have shown conflicting results. Ginger and cetyl myristoleate have no proven clinical usefulness for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES FOR TRADITIONAL DISEASE STATES: OSTEOARTHRITIS
Vincent Morelli, MD; Christopher Naquin, MD; Victor Weaver, MD
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Kenner, Louisiana
American Family Physician. January 15, 2003 / Volume 67, Number 2
www.aafp.org/afp