Mountains of Relief from Arthritis Pain and Swelling

Too many Australians suffer from joint pain, stiffness and inflammation. Arthritis means inflammation of the joints and this affects 1 in 5 Australians.1 Although there are over 100 different types of arthritis the most common form is osteoarthritis present in 1.4 million Australians.2 The main joints affected are the weight bearing joints such as the hips, knees and lower back, as well as the neck and hands. Many seek relief of their symptoms from traditional means such as dietary (e.g. herbal or plant) supplements, or from conventional means in the form of pills from their chemist or doctor.

Concerns with conventional drugs

A conventional example is the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs; these inhibit one or two of the enzymes responsible for pain and inflammation called cyclo-oxygenase (COX-1, COX-2). The risk of gastrointestinal side effects (e.g. bleeds) is well known but disturbingly, one of these COX-2 drugs (Vioxx®) was taken off the market because of the increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) then advised people taking high doses of other COX-2 inhibitors (i.e. Celebrex®) to see their doctor. All NSAIDs may cause an increased risk of serious clotting (thrombotic) problems and this risk may increase the longer they are taken.3,4

The search for natural alternatives

This issue of safety has led many people to seek alternative therapies that have similar efficacy but superior safety profiles. In helping patients search for this answer, the company Unigen Pharmaceuticals screened over 1200 plants for their anti-inflammatory activity. Two plants were identified: Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu, and both of these have been used traditionally in oriental and ayurvedic medicine for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Cararthron®

Cararthron® is a new improved formula of a clinically proven natural product for arthritis relief. It contains a blend of these plant extracts. The active ingredients are natural anti-inflammatory agents called flavonoids and flavans.5 Scutellaria baicalensis contains the flavonoids - baicalin, baicalein and wogonin, and Acacia catechu contains the flavonoids - catechin and epicatechin. They work by inhibiting all 3 enzymatic pathways involved in inflammation (COX-1, COX-2 and LOX),6 and they also help slow the breakdown of cartilage in the joints.7,8

Clinically proven arthritis relief

This blend of plant extracts has undergone extensive preclinical and clinical testing. Recent randomised double-blind clinical trials confirm the encouraging results from preclinical studies.9,10 This natural product is at least as effective as NSAIDs in helping to reduce the symptoms of arthritis such as pain and stiffness, and increasing mobility.9,10 Moreover, Cararthron® has an excellent safety profile, and reassuringly the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) side effects during 3 months was zero.10

In contrast, NSAIDs (e.g. Nurofen®, Celebrex®) may cause GI side effects (e.g. decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, heartburn, stomach pain, cramps).11 These are the most common side effects followed by worsening heart failure or kidney failure, increased blood pressure, increased clotting (thrombosis), dizziness, lightheadedness, tiredness, ringing in the ears and headache, and bleeding.11 Also NSAIDs can cause potentially fatal bleeding from developing ulcers in the gut particularly if you are older than 65 years, had a previous ulcer, are taking warfarin or other medications.11 With Carathron®, the safety profile is excellent and there are minimal interactions with other drugs.9,10

Finally we have a new natural and safe alternative called Cararthron® that works as well as the conventional medicines (e.g. NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors) but without the serious side effects. The catechins in Cararthron® are also cardioprotective, so it is reassuring to know that not only will this natural product help to provide relief of pain and stiffness and improvement in overall joint function but there is no compromise to the heart and brain. Cararthron can be taken once or twice a day depending on symptom relief. It is available at your local pharmacy or healthfood store, or can be purchased directly from the Chalmers Dale online store.

Show/Hide References

  1. Arthritis Australia 2009. http://www.rheumatology.org.au/community/documents/Whatisarthritis.pdf
  2. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Guideline for the non-surgical management of hip and knee arthritis. Available at http://www.racgp.org.au/Content/NavigationMenu/ClinicalResources/RACGPGuidelines/Arthritis/200812OsteoarthritisGuideline.pdf Accessed June 2009.
  3. Celebrex Product Information, Pfizer Pty Ltd. Available at http://www.pfizer.com.au/ProductInfo.aspx
  4. National Prescribing Service. Elevated cardiovascular risk with NSAIDs? NPS RADAR; 2005 Aug.
    http://www.nps.org.au/health_professionals/publications/nps_radar/issues/archive/august_2005/nsaids [cited 2009 Jul 14]
  5. Lim H, et al. Inhibition of chronic skin inflammation by topical anti-inflammatory flavonoid preparation, Ato Formula. Arch Pharm Res 2006; 29: 503-7.
  6. Burnett BP, et al. A medicinal extract of Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu acts as a dual inhibitor of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase to reduce inflammation. J Med Food 2007; 10: 442-51.
  7. Adcocks C, et al. Catechins from green tea (Camellia sinensis) inhibit bovine and human cartilage proteoglycan and type II collagen degradation in vitro. J Nutr 2002; 132: 241-6.
  8. Hsieh CJ, et al. Baicalein inhibits IL-1- and TNF- -induced inflammatory cytokine production from human mast cells via regulation of the NF- B pathway. Clin Mol Allergy 2007; 5:5.
  9. Levy R, et al. Safety and efficacy of flavocoxide compared with naproxen in subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee: a pilot study. Osteoarthr Cartil 2008; 15(suppl B): B91.
  10. Sampalis JS, et al. Evaluation and comparison of the safety and efficacy of UP446 and celecoxib for the management of pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Data on file, Unigen Pharmaceuticals.
  11. Arthritis Australia 2009. http://www.rheumatology.org.au/downloads/NSAIDS280509.pdf