Study on the clinical efficacy of Mongolian medicine in the treatment of osteoarthritis

Runa A; Rigenjiya Mu; Qizhu Wu; Latai Ga; Long Bai; Rigatai A; Lidao Bao; Lengge Si; Gula A

Study on the clinical efficacy of Mongolian medicine in the treatment of osteoarthritis

Am J Transl Res. 2023 Apr 15;15(4):2481-2497. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Runa A¹, Rigenjiya Mu¹, Qizhu Wu², Latai Ga², Long Bai¹, Rigatai A³, Lidao Bao⁴, Lengge Si¹, Gula A⁵

Affiliations

¹ Mongolian Traditional Therapy Teaching and Research Section, Mongolian Medicine School, Inner Mongolian Medical University Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
² Mongolian Medical Orthopedics Teaching and Research Section, Mongolian Medicine School, Inner Mongolian Medical University Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
³ Rehabilitation Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
⁴ Pharmacy Department, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
⁵ College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baotou Medical College Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China.

PMID: 37193152
PMCID: PMC10182510

Abstract

Objective: The object of this paper was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Mongolian medicine in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). This was completed by offering evidence to provide a clinical basis for the treatment of OA. We explored the mechanism of the sticking application of Mongolian medicine.

Method: A total of 123 patients with OA diagnosed in the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from January 2017 to December 2017 were enrolled. The clinical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups according to the medication they were using at the time: The strapping group, the glucosamine hydrochloride group, and the Mongolian medicine group, with 41 patients in each group. The treatment indicators of the included patients 2 weeks after the treatment and 4 weeks after the treatment were fully recorded in our hospital. The levels of CGRP, TNF-α, MMP-3, VEGF, and IL-10 before and after treatment were measured by ELISA. The auxiliary diagnostic index was X-ray film.

Results: Compared with the control group, the Mongolian medicine group improved the symptoms of pain, swelling, limited movement, and daily life quality of patients to different degrees. There was a significant decrease in the VAS score at each time point of the Mongolian medicine group (P < 0.05). tThe scores of bodily pain in SF-36 QOL were significantly higher in the Mongolian medicine group at different time points (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of MMP-3, TNF-α, VEGF, and CGRP in the Mongolian medicine group were significantly lower than those before the treatment (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Mongolian medicine can inhibit the expression of MMP-3, TNF-α, VEGF, and CGRP in serum, and up-regulate the trend of IL-10, alleviating the inflammatory reaction. It has a good curative effect in the treatment of OA patients. It is better than western medicine in pain, swelling, and improving bone and joint function index.

Keywords: Mongolian medicine; WOMAC pain score; osteoarthritis; randomized contrast.