PMC

Sequential changes in VAS (pain) expressed as a percentage of baseline values. Placebo (blue, n = 22), high dose sierrasil (green, n = 20), low dose sierrasil (red, n = 21) and low dose sierrasil + cat's claw extract (orange, n = 25) displayed a time dependent improvement in VAS scores for pain. However, there was a trend for a faster onset of benefits in the sierrasil treated groups compared to placebo.

Sequential changes in WOMAC C (physical activity) scores expressed as a percentage of baseline values. Placebo (blue, n = 22), high dose sierrasil (green, n = 20), low dose sierrasil (red, n = 21) and low dose sierrasil + cat's claw extract (orange, n = 25) displayed a time dependent improvement in physical activity and function scores (WOMAC C). A trend for a faster onset of benefits was evident in all sierrasil treated groups versus placebo.

Sequential changes in WOMAC total scores expressed as a percentage of baseline values. Placebo (blue, n = 22), high dose sierrasil (green, n = 20), low dose sierrasil (red, n = 21) and low dose sierrasil + cat's claw extract (orange, n = 25) displayed a time dependent improvement in total WOMAC Scores. There was a trend for a faster onset of action in all sierrasil treated groups when compared to placebo responses.

Sequential changes in WOMAC B (stiffness) scores expressed as a percentage of baseline values. Placebo (blue, n = 22), high dose sierrasil (green, n = 20), low dose sierrasil (red, n = 21) and low dose sierrasil + cat's claw extract (orange, n = 25) displayed a time dependent improvement in WOMAC B scores, measuring stiffness, over the course of the study. A trend for a faster onset of improvement was evident in all sierrasil treated groups when compared to placebo controls.

Consumption of rescue medication (paracetamol) for the study duration. Results for placebo (blue column, n = 19), high dose sierrasil (green column, n = 19), low dose sierrasil (red column, n = 20) and low dose sierrasil + cat's claw extract (orange column, n = 23) groups are expressed as mean ± sem. There was no significant difference in rescue medication use between the various groups, although a trend for less paracetamol consumption was evident in both the high dose sierrasil and low dose + cat's claw groups which approached significance (p = 0.119 and p = 0.101 vs placebo respectively).

Sequential changes in WOMAC A (pain) scores expressed as a percentage of baseline values. Placebo (blue, n = 22), high dose sierrasil (green, n = 20), low dose sierrasil (red, n = 21) and low dose sierrasil + cat's claw extract (orange, n = 25) all demonstrated a time dependent improvement in the pain indices of WOMAC A. However, in the placebo group this was delayed until the last month of the study. All sierrasil treated groups displayed a faster onset of action.