Thai black ginger improves the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis

Research has found that the Thai black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora) can improve the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. The study, published in the Journal of Natural Medicines, evaluated the effects of the Thai black ginger and its active components on osteoarthritis and its mechanism of action.

• The number of people suffering from knee osteoarthritis is increasing worldwide because of the increasing number of elderly and obese patients.
• Thai black ginger, a plant native to Southeast Asia has been known to possess therapeutic effects, such as anti-inflammatory effect. However, there has been no study conducted yet on its efficacy against osteoarthritis.
• A team of researchers from Japan assessed the extracts of Thai black ginger assessed the effect and mechanism of Thai black ginger extract on mice with knee osteoarthritis.
• The results revealed that the Thai black ginger extract reduced pain and decreased the severity of osteoarthritic cartilage lesions.
• In addition, the Thai black ginger and its key components, particularly 5,7-dimethoxyflavone and 5,7,4?-trimethoxyflavone, reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are the main extracellular matrix enzymes that are responsible for the degradation of collagen within cartilage.
• Overall, the Thai black ginger suppressed knee osteoarthritis and inhibited MMPs.

Based on the findings of the study, the researchers concluded that Thai black ginger can help alleviate the effects of knee osteoarthritis.

To read more stories on natural treatments for osteoarthritis, visit AlternativeMedicine.news today.

Journal Reference:

Kobayashi H, Suzuki R, Sato K, Ogami T, Tomozawa H, Tsubata M, Shimada T. EFFECT OF KAEMPFERIA PARVIFLORA EXTRACT ON KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS. Journal of Natural Medicines. January 2018; 72(1): 136-144. DOI: 10.1007/s11418-017-1121-6