Effect of the Japanese herbal medicine, Boiogito, on the osteoarthritis of the knee with joint effusion

Study was performed using 50 patients who were diagnosed with primary osteoarthritis of the knee with joint effusion. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: one group (25 patients) using both loxoprofen (2-{4-[(2-oxocyclopentyl) methyl]} propanoic acid) and Boiogito and the other group (25 patients) using loxoprofen, and were evaluated during a 12 week observation period. The assessment parameters including knee scores in the Knee Society Rating System including Knee score and Functional scores, amount of joint effusion by joint puncture in clinically detected cases, the 36-items short form of the Medical Outcome Study Questionnaire (SF-36) as a measurement of health related quality of life were used.The knee scores based on the Knee Society Rating System were improved in both groups. The staircase climbing up and down ability in the Knee society rating system functional score was significantly improved in the group using Boiogito and loxoprofen compared to the loxoprofen group. In the evaluation using SF-36, significant improvements were found in the scores in both groups in physical functioning after 12 weeks. The amount of joint fluid was significantly decreased at 4, 8 and 12 weeks compared to pre-administration baseline in the group using Boiogito and loxoprofen. A side effect of Boiogito, dry mouth, was found in one case. The symptom was mild and improved immediately after discontinuation of administration.The results indicated that Boiogito have a possibility for a treatment modality for joint effusion with osteoarthritis of the knee.Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a degenerative disease of the knee joints which significantly damages the functions of knee joints. The objective of its treatment is to decrease pain while attempting to maintain or increase the range of knee motion and to minimize disabilities in daily living. The majority of osteoarthritic patients visit the clinic with the complaint of pain. As clinical symptoms, joint effusion i