Abstract
Aim The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy and safety of Polycan, a β-glucan produced from the black yeast Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001, in combination with glucosamine in reducing knee osteoarthritis-associated symptoms. Methods This was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of a formulated product composed of 16.7 mg of Polycan and 250 mg of glucosamine (Group A), 16.7 mg of Polycan and 500 mg of glucosamine (Group B), or 500 mg of glucosamine (control group) per capsule, administered as three capsules once per day over a period of 12 weeks, conducted with 100 osteoarthritis patients, aged 35–80 years. The primary outcome measure was osteoarthritis symptoms assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. The secondary outcome measures included rescue medication use (according to data from a patient-reported diary) and other safety indices (body weight, blood pressure, hematological, and biochemistry markers). Results Compared with the control group, Group B demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the total WOMAC score after 12 weeks of treatment (p < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the frequency of rescue medication used in Groups A and B compared with the control group (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in hematology and biochemistry parameters or health indices between the active and the control group. Conclusion Among patients with mild or moderate osteoarthritis, a daily oral dose of Polycan (50 mg) in combination with glucosamine (750 mg or 1500 mg; Group A or B, respectively) resulted in a better treatment outcome than treatment with glucosamine (1500 mg) alone.
Highlights
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative and chronic disease of the knee joint and is the most common type of arthritis, affecting approximately one-third of people aged over 40 years in Western countries [1, 2]
One hundred and forty-five patients were examined by orthopedists for knee osteoarthritis problems and were assessed for eligibility to enter the study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria
One hundred patients met the study criteria and were enrolled, of which 33, 34, and 33 patients were randomized into the control group, Group A (Polycan 50 mg and glucosamine 750 mg per day), and Group B (Polycan 50 mg and glucosamine 1500 mg per day), respectively (Figure 1)
Summary
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative and chronic disease of the knee joint and is the most common type of arthritis, affecting approximately one-third of people aged over 40 years in Western countries [1, 2]. It is characterized by local joint inflammation that can progress to severe tissue damage if untreated. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used for the treatment of painful symptoms and inflammation. NSAIDs are associated with serious cardiovascular and digestive side effects and are unsuitable for long-term use. Additional treatment options, with a more favorable side effect profile than that
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
