Efficacy of a novel multicomponent nutraceutical for chronic knee osteoarthritis

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Created On: 01/09/2026

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder associated with pain, impaired physical function, and reduced quality of life.

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Key take away

A three-month course of a fixed nutraceutical combination improves pain and patient-reported outcomes in chronic knee osteoarthritis.

Background

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder associated with pain, impaired physical function, and reduced quality of life. Nutraceuticals containing compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are increasingly being investigated as potential adjunctive options for symptom management. This pilot study explored the utility of a novel nutraceutical for chronic knee OA management.

Method

Researchers enrolled 50 patients with knee OA, including 30 women and 20 men. The mean age was 63.6 ± 11.4 years while the mean body mass index was 26.9 ± 3.7 kg/m². Subjects received one tablet of the fixed nutraceutical combination daily for three months in addition to their usual therapy. They were instructed to maintain their existing dietary habits and medications for comorbidities throughout the study. Each tablet contained chondroitin sulfate 500 mg, α-lipoic acid 400 mg, astaxanthin 5 mg, lycopene 7 mg, escin 15 mg, omega-3 fatty acids 53 mg (eicosapentaenoic acid 212.2 mg, and docosahexaenoic acid 10.6 mg).

Efficacy was evaluated at baseline and follow-up visits using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Mood-related outcomes were assessed using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Safety was monitored through adverse drug reaction assessment using the Naranjo scale.

Result

The nutraceutical combination produced a significant improvement in pain over time (p < 0.01). Improvements were also noted across patient-reported measures of OA symptoms, quality of life, and mood during follow-up. Notably, no adverse drug reactions were reported throughout the three-month study period, supporting a favorable short-term tolerability profile.

Conclusion

The novel nutraceutical combination demonstrated promising effects on pain, quality of life, and overall patient-reported outcomes in chronic knee OA, while showing an excellent safety profile. These findings support further investigation of multicomponent nutraceutical strategies as adjunctive options for OA symptom management.