Background:
Osteoarthritis is a common problem affecting the joints in the elderly,
caused disability and consequently decrease the quality of life. The
conservative treatment includes the usage of analgesia, but the use of
herbal medicine is growing. Momordica charantia or bitter melon has been
widely described to have anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects.
However, its effect on reducing pain in primary knee osteoarthritis is
not well studied. We aim to determine the effects of Momordica charantia
in reducing pain among primary knee osteoarthritis patients.
Materials and methods:
Thirty-eight and thirty-seven primary knee osteoarthritis patients
underwent 3 months of Momordica charantia and placebo supplementation
respectively. Three 500 mg per capsule of Momordica charantia were taken
thrice daily. Rescue analgesia was allowed as needed. Pain and symptoms
throughout the Momordica charantia supplementation period were assessed
using Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and EQ-5D-3L Health
questionnaire, while rescue analgesia intake throughout the period of
supplementation was measured using analgesic score.
Results:
After 3 months supplementation period, body weight, body mass index, and
fasting blood glucose reduced significantly in the Momordica charantia
group. There were also significant improvements in Knee Injury and
Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscales and EQ-5D-3L dimension score, and
reduction in analgesic score. The placebo group had also shown
significant improvements in certain Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis
Outcome Score subscales and EQ-5D-3L dimension score, but with increased
of the analgesic score.
Conclusion:
Momordica charantia supplementation offers a safe alternative to
reducing pain and improving symptoms among the primary knee
osteoarthritis patients while reducing the need for analgesia
consumption. These beneficial effects can be seen as early as 3 months
of supplementation.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326034776_The_effects_of_Momordica_charantia_bitter_melon_supplementation_in_patients_with_primary_knee_osteoarthritis_A_single-blinded_randomized_controlled_trial
