Univestin Cuts OA Pain

LACEY, Wash.Bioflavonoids derived from standardized extracts from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis and the heartwood of Acacia catechu (as Univestin, from Unigen) combated pain in osteoarthritis (OA) sufferers just as well as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), according to a recent study conducted in Canada by JSS Medical Research Inc. (Nutr J. 2012 Apr 5;11:21).

The randomized, double blind, placebo- and active-controlled pilot study included 60 subjects (age 40-75) with symptomatic OA of the hip or knee. They were assigned to four treatment groups (n = 15); Group A0 (Placebo), Group A1 (250 mg/d of Univestin), Group A2 (500 mg/d of Univestin) and Group A3 (200 mg/d of Celecoxib, a common NSAID used for treating OA).

The group that took 250 mg/d of Univestin experienced statistically significant decrease in the Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score after 90 days; WOMAC is a set of standardized questionnaires used by health professionals to evaluate the condition of patients with OA. The group that took 500 mg/d of Univestin experienced a statistically significant decrease in WOMAC scores after 30 days. The group that took Celecoxib experienced this decrease after 60 days.

Statistically significant decrease in WOMAC stiffness score were observed for the  250 mg/d of Univestin group and the 500 mg/d of Univestin after 30 days; but not for the placebo group or the  Celecoxib group. The mean change in WOMAC functional impairment scores were statistically significant for the  250 mg/d of Univestin group and the 500 mg/d of Univestin respectively at 30 days (P=0.006 and P=0.006), at 60 days (P=0.016 and P=0.002) and at 90 days (P=0.018 and P=0.002), these changes were not significant for the placebo group or the  Celecoxib group.

Based the Health Assessment Questionnaire Short Form SF 36 self-administered questionnaire, statistically significant improvements in physical function, endurance and mental health scores were observed for all active treatment groups compared to placebo.

"Currently utilized prescription drugs and over the counter NSAIDs for pain and OA have well established gastrointestinal (GI) and/or cardiovascular side effects that limit usage," said Unigens chief scientific officer, Qi Jia, Ph.D. "This publication indicates that Univestin offers an effective natural alternative suitable for long term usage." 

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