The effects of Zintona EC (a ginger extract) on symptomatic gonarthritis

Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2003 Nov;11(11):783-9. doi: 10.1016/s1063-4584(03)00169-9.

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of the effect of a ginger extract (Zintona EC) on patients suffering from gonarthritis.

Material and methods: Twenty-nine patients (6 men and 23 women) with symptomatic gonarthritis (ACR criteria), in the age range 42-85 years, were included after randomization in a double blind, placebo controlled, crossover study of 6 months' duration. The treatment group was given a ginger extract (250 mg of Zingiberis Rhizoma per capsule, qid), while the placebo group received the same number of identical looking capsules per day. The crossover occurred after 3 months of therapy. Results were evaluated by a 100mm visual analog scale (VAS) of pain on movement and of handicap.

Results: Eight patients dropped out because of inefficacy, three from group 1 (ginger extract first) and five from group 2 (placebo first). One patient from group 1 and one from group 2 dropped out because of heartburn (while they were on ginger extract). Twenty patients completed the study period of 24 weeks and 19 that of 48 weeks follow-up. By the end of 24 weeks there was a highly statistically significant difference between the VAS of pain and handicap of the two groups (P<0.001). However, at crossover both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in VAS of pain on movement and of handicap, but the differences between the groups did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions: Zintona EC was as effective as placebo during the first 3 months of the study, but at the end of 6 months, 3 months after crossover, the ginger extract group showed a significant superiority over the placebo group.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee / drug therapy*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Phytotherapy / methods*
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Zingiber officinale* / adverse effects

Substances

  • Plant Extracts