Potential of Astaxanthin in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Author(s): Masuma Tabassum, Md. Sayedur Rahman, Syed Mozaffar Ahmed, Iftekhar Hossain Chowdhury, Nazmul Huda SM, Shahrin Sultana, Shirin Aktar, Muhammad Marnush, Md. Abdul Jalil

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major disabling disorder of the elderly population worldwide. Pharmacotherapy focuses on symptomatic relief through nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or intra articular steroids, which are associated with significant adverse effects. Astaxanthin, a marine carotenoid, is a strong antioxidant with antiinflammatory properties which may be a safe and effective alternative treatment.

Objectives: The purpose of the research was to look into how a commercially available astaxanthin supplement affected knee pain, stiffness, physical function and inflammatory markers in persons with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: Adults with knee pain (n = 71, >40 years old), radiologically diagnosed with moderate to severe knee OA, participated in the 8-weeks double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Participants consumed either 12 mg astaxanthin capsule each day or placebo identical to astaxanthin capsule. Knee outcomes were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) visual analog scale (normalized to scores of 0–100), serum hsCRP and IL-6 were measured. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, and at the end of 8th week.

Results: Knee pain and physical function score improved in both groups with greater improvements for astaxanthin (p<0.05) than for placebo (p>0.05) group. Total WOMAC score improved significantly in the astaxanthin (177.36 ± 12.6 to 166.95 ± 12.96) group than for placebo group (177.24 ± 12.45 to 175.09 ± 12.21). Serum hsCRP and IL-6 also reduced significantly in the astaxanthin group.

Conclusions: Astaxanthin consumption resulted in modest subjective improvements in knee pain, stiffness, and physical function in adults with moderate to severe knee OA with improvements in inflammatory markers.