Riassunto dello studio

One hundred patients with mild knee osteoarthritis were randomized to receive steamed ginger extract (GGE03) (n=50) or a placebo (n=50) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome of interest was the change in pain, assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Korean-Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (K-WOMAC) total score. Secondary outcomes included K-WOMAC sub-scores (pain, stiffness, and function), patient global assessment (PGA), and inflammatory and joint-related biomarkers (hs-CRP, ESR, IL-1β, MMP-9, TIMP-1). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Overall, the results revealed significant improvements in pain VAS and K-WOMAC total and sub-scores in the GGE03 group compared to placebo (p < 0.0001). There were no significant changes in inflammatory or joint-related biomarkers. No safety concerns were identified. These findings suggest that GGE03 is effective in improving knee OA symptoms without adverse effects.