An open, supplement, registry study Arborvitae (R) for prevention of arthrosis-related pain during exercise

BACKGROUND: This open registry study evaluated improvements in symptoms associated with osteoarthrosis (OA) managed with a standardized liquid supplement (Arborvitae®, Australia [ A B V ]). METHODS: TWO comparable groups of subjects using standard management (SM) for OA were evaluated: one with SM only and another using SM and supplemented with Arborvitae® 100 mL/day for 8 weeks followed by 60 mL/day for 4 weeks. Arborvitae Supplement® contains Pycnogenol®, papain and, as accessory components, Aloe Vera, procyanidins, and honey. SM was an evaluation reference. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the efficacy of Arborvitae® supplementation on signs/symptoms, particularly pain while walking and in reducing the need for rescue medications in osteoarthritis patients. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable at inclusion. Sixty subjects completed the study: 30 in the SM group as controls and 30 in the Arborvitae® group. No tolerability problems or side effects were observed during the observation period. At 3 months, the walking distance was significantly higher in the ABV group in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). The Karnofsky Scale in the supplemented subjects improved more in the ABV group at 3 months (P<0.05); blood oxidative stress was lower with ABV in comparison with controls (P<0.05). The increased temperature of the knee (measurable by thermography) was decreased more with the supplement (P<0.05) considering the maximum temperature of the area and the average temperature of the skin over the affected knee (P<0.05). The use of rescue medications was significantly lower in the ABV group. CONCLUSIONS: This registry indicates that ABV may be an effective supplementary management in controlling mild-moderate signs/symptoms associated with OA in otherwise healthy subjects