Hemp Seed Oil in Association with β-Caryophyllene, Myrcene and Ginger Extract as a Nutraceutical Integration in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind Prospective Case-Control Study

• Published in: Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Lithuania), 2023-01, Vol.59 (2), p.191
• Main Authors: Farì, Giacomo, Megna, Marisa, Scacco, Salvatore, Ranieri, Maurizio, Raele, Maria Vittoria, Chiaia Noya, Enrica, Macchiarola, Dario, Bianchi, Francesco Paolo, Carati, Davide, Panico, Simona, Di Campi, Eleonora, Gnoni, Antonio, Scacco, Venera, Inchingolo, Alessio Danilo, Qorri, Erda, Scarano, Antonio, Rapone, Biagio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arthritis; Body mass index; Care and treatment; Cartilage; Chronic illnesses; dietary supplement; Dietary supplements; Disease; Double-blind studies; Enrollments; Essences and essential oils; Functional foods; Functional foods & nutraceuticals; Ginger; Health aspects; Hemp; hemp seed oil; knee osteoarthritis; Knee pain; Marijuana; Osteoarthritis; Pain; Patients; Quality of life; rehabilitation; Seeds; Terpenes; Testing
• ISSN: 1648-9144; 1010-660X; 1648-9144
• DOI: 10.3390/medicina59020191

Nutraceuticals are gaining more and more importance as a knee osteoarthritis (KOA) complementary treatment. Among nutraceuticals, hemp seed oil and terpenes are proving to be very useful as therapeutic support for many chronic diseases, but there are still few studies regarding their effectiveness for treating KOA, both in combination and separately. The aim of this study is thus to compare the effect of two dietary supplements, both containing hemp seed oil, but of which only one also contains terpenes, in relieving pain and improving joint function in patients suffering from KOA. Thirty-eight patients were recruited and divided into two groups. The control group underwent a 45 day treatment with a hemp seed oil-based dietary supplement, while the treatment group assumed a hemp seed oil and terpenes dietary supplement for the same period. Patients were evaluated at the enrollment (T0) and at the end of treatment (T1). Outcome measures were: Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short-Form-12 (SF-12), Knee Injury Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Oxford Knee Score (OKS). All outcome measures improved at T1 in both groups, but NRS, KOOS and OKS had a greater significant improvement in the treatment group only. Hemp seed oil and terpenes resulted a more effective integrative treatment option in KOA, improving joint pain and function and representing a good complementary option for patients suffering from osteoarthritis.