ABSTRACT
Background: The knee-osteoarthritis (KOA) is a risk for muscular degeneration by the elevation of creatine kinase-muscle (CK-MM). The present study was aiming to normalize the elevated level of CK-MM by topical phytotherapeutic protocol correlated with anatomical measurements, the Kellgren- Lawrence (KL) grading systems of radiographic KOA, body mass index (BMI), overall improvement of pain under visual analogue scale (VAS) and pain, stiffness and physical function under WOMAC index. Methods: Baseline data from 108 patients (66.67 % females) with KOA aged 40-75 years old were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Bilateral anatomical measurements included the gap at the knee between the short head of the biceps femoris and the surface of the bed, diameter of muscles of thighs and calves, angles of straight leg raising, flexion and extension in different positions and BMI were measured using appropriate instruments. The elevated level of CK-MM, scored KL grading system and pain under VAS and WOMAC index were also evaluated at the baseline and after 42 days of treatment. Results: All the bilateral leg anatomical measurements were symmetry at the end of the 42nd session (P<0.0001). The significant changes were observed in VAS (P<0.00001), WOMAC index (P<0.0001), CK-MM level (P<0.0001), BMI (P<0.0001) and improvement of KL grading scores. Conclusions: The improvements of damaged leg muscles due to muscular dystrophy, connective tissue damage etc. confirmed with normalization of elevated serum CK-MM level, above mentioned anatomical measurements, BMI, VAS, WOMAC index and KL grading systems may be synergistic effect of phytochemicals during specific phytotherapeutic treatment protocol.
ABSTRACT
Background: Knee-osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative joint disease. Elevated level of aldolase-A (AldoA) in serum indicates skeletal muscle damage in KOA. The present study was attempted to normalize the elevated level of AldoA by topical phytotherapeutic protocol correlated with leg-anatomy, body mass index (BMI), pain, stiffness and physical function and the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading-systems. Methods: Baseline data from144 patients (61.80% females) with KOA aged 40-75 years old were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Bilateral anatomy of legs including the gap at the knee between the short head of the biceps femoris and the surface of the bed, diameter of muscles 4cm above and below the patella, angles of straight leg raising, flexion and extension in different positions and BMI were measured using appropriate instruments. AldoA was estimated in serum. The KL grading-system of radiographic KOA and overall pain under VAS and pain, stiffness and physical function under WOMAC index were also evaluated. All the parameters were compared between the baseline and post-42 days of treatment. Results: The anatomical features were observed symmetry in both legs at the end of the 42nd session with highly statistical significance (P<0.0001). The significant changes were also observed in VAS (P<0.00001), WOMAC index (P<0.001), AldoA level (P<0.0001), BMI (P<0.0001) and improvement of KL grading systems was noted for both knee-joints. Conclusion: The functional improvements of skeletal muscles confirmed with normalization of elevated AldoA level, leg-anatomical measurements, BMI, VAS, WOMAC index and KL grading systems of radiographic KOA due to the effects of phytochemicals present in phytoextracts.
ABSTRACT
Background: Knee-osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common disease worldwide. C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum is a marker enzyme for inflammation and elevated in KOA. The present study was aiming to normalize the elevated level of CRP by topical phytotherapeutic protocol correlated with anatomical measurements, body mass index and radiological images in KOA. Materials & Methods: Baseline data from153 patients (101 females and 52 males) with KOA aged 40-70 years old were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Bilateral anatomical measurements included the gap at the knee between the short head of the biceps femoris and the surface of the bed, diameter of muscles 4cm above and below the patella and calf, and flexion and extension in supine, prone and standing positions and body mass index (BMI) were measured using appropriate instruments. The elevated level of serum CRP and pain under visual analogue scale (VAS) and WOMAC osteoarthritis index were also evaluated at the baseline and after 42nd sessions by topically applied specialized phytotherapeutic treatment protocol. Results: All the bilateral leg anatomical measurements were symmetry at the end of the 42nd sessions (P<0.0001). The significant changes were observed in pain under VAS (P<0.0001) and WOMAC scales (P<0.0001), CRP level (P<0.0001) and BMI (P<0.0001). The radiological features of the knee-joints were also revealed the improvement in KOA. Conclusion: The improvements of inflammation and normalization of elevated serum CRP level confirmed by anatomical measurements, BMI, VAS and WOMAC index and radiological images in KOA by topical phytotherapy. This study revealed that combinations of phytochemicals during topical application may be synergistic effect.
ABSTRACT
Fluoride is toxic to neuronal development and its excessive intake during pregnancy cause adverse effects on neonatal development. The present study examined the presence of oxidative stress during maternal exposure of fluoride and the therapeutic strategy of Aloe vera, Curcuma longa and Ocimum sanctum extracts in functional prevention of fluoride led oxidative stress. The pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to 100 ppm fluoride in drinking water and pups born to them were supplemented with phytoextracts daily. On 21st postpartum day, the pups were sacrificed to analyse fluoride and oxidative stress markers. Fluoride exposure significantly increased its accumulation, lipid peroxidation and decreased the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione levels in discrete regions of the central nervous system (CNS) of pups indicating oxidative stress and inhibited antioxidant defense. The results implied the vulnerability of developing CNS to fluoride toxicity. On phytoextract supplementation, the oxidant devastation was suppressed by regaining antioxidant homeostasis near normal level proving efficacy and therapeutic strategy. Among the phytoextracts supplemented the Ocimum sanctum is found to be more effective.