A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of the effect of a combination of lemon verbena extract and fish oil omega-3 fatty acid on joint management.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of an antioxidant/anti-inflammatory supplement containing standardized lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla, Lippia citriodora) extract and fish oil omega-3 fatty acid in a human pilot trial as an alternative treatment for joint management.

METHODS AND DESIGN:

First, antioxidant activity of the supplement was determined through an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. In a randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial, 45 subjects with pain discomfort received the nutritional supplement or placebo for 9 weeks. Western Ontario MacMaster (WOMAC) and Lequesne's questionnaires, which are disease-specific measurements validated to measure joint dysfunction and pain, were administered and evaluated once per week in the placebo and intervention groups.

OUTCOME MEASURES:

Pain and stiffness symptoms, and joint function were determined once per week through recording their respective WOMAC and Lequesne's scores in the placebo and intervention groups. Statistically significant differences were determined at every measurement point between the two groups.

RESULTS:

Lemon verbena extract showed strong antioxidant properties as measured by the ORAC assay. The nutritional supplement containing standardized lemon verbena extract (14% verbascoside, w/w) and fish oil omega-3 fatty acid reduced symptoms of pain and stiffness significantly, and improved physical function as shown by WOMAC and Lequesne's scores after 9 weeks of treatment. WOMAC and Lequesne's total scores decreased 53% and 78%, respectively, at the end of the study compared to initial conditions. Onset of the effect was observed at the third and fourth weeks, when statistically significant differences were detected, compared to placebo.

CONCLUSIONS:

This pilot study reveals that supplementation with lemon verbena combined with omega-3 fatty acids may be considered for further investigation as a complementary and alternative treatment for improving joint status in subjects with joint discomfort.

• Authors: Nuria Caturla, Lorena Funes, Laura Pérez-Fons, Vicente Micol
• Journal: Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) (J Altern Complement Med) Vol. 17 Issue 11 Pg. 1051-63 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1557-7708 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22087615 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Dietary Fats
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Plant Extracts

Topics

• Activities of Daily Living
• Adult
• Antioxidants (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Arthralgia (drug therapy)
• Dietary Fats (administration & dosage)
• Dietary Supplements (standards)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Joints (drug effects, physiopathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Phytotherapy
• Pilot Projects
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology, standards, therapeutic use)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Verbena
• Verbenaceae