Efficacy and tolerance of Harpagophytum procumbens versus diacerhein in treatment of osteoarthritis

• Published in: Phytomedicine (Stuttgart) 2000-06, Vol.7 (3), p.177-183
• Main Authors: Chantre, P., Cappelaere, A., Leblan, D., Guedon, D., Vandermander, J., Fournie, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anthraquinones - therapeutic use; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - therapeutic use; Devil's claw; Double-Blind Method; Female; Glycosides; Harpagophytum procumbens; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Hip - drug therapy; Osteoarthritis, Knee - drug therapy; Pain - prevention & control; Pain Measurement; Pyrans - chemistry; Pyrans - therapeutic use; randomized double blind study; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0944-7113; 1618-095X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80001-X

In a double-blind, randomized, multicentre clinical study, the efficacy and tolerance of a herbal medicine product, Harpadol® (6 capsules/day, each containing 435 mg of powdered cryoground powder Harpagophytum procumbens), was compared with diacerhein 100 mg/day in the treatment, for 4 months, of 122 patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee and hip. Assessments of pain and functional disability were made on a 10 cm horizontal visual analogue scale; severity of osteoarthritis was evaluated by Lequesne's index. Spontaneous pain showed a significant improvement during the course of the study and there was no difference in the efficacy of the two treatments. Similarly, there was a progressive and significant reduction in the Lequesne functional index and no statistical difference was found between Harpadol® and diacerhein. At completion of the study, patients taking Harpadol® were using significantly less NSAIDs and antalgic drugs. The frequency of adverse events was significantly lower in the Harpadol® group. The most frequent event reported was diarrhea, occurring in 8.1 % and 26.7 % of Harpadol® and diacerhein patients respectively. The global tolerance assessment by patients at the end of treatment favoured Harpadol®. The results of this study demonstrate that Harpadol® is comparable in efficacy and superior in safety to diacerhein.