Study on knee osteoarthritis with a unani poly herbal formulation: a series of case studies

Abstract

The most common cause for limiting mobility of the elderly people is joint disease, especially knee osteoarthritis. It is the major cause of disability and socioeconomic burden at present. Qurs-e- mafasil is a Unani poly herbal compound formulation mentioned in a Unani pharmacopeia, Qarabadeen-e-Majeedi. In which it is recommended for waja-ul-mafasil (arthralgia). This formulation contains three ingredients, Chob Zard (Curcuma longa Linn.), Surinjan Talkh (Colchium luteum Baker.) and Samaghe Arabi (Acacia Arabica Willd.). Aim of this study was to comprehend the effectiveness of the drug Qurs-e- mafasil in knee osteoarthritis patients. This study was done in 30 patients. Qurs-e- mafasil was administered orally as 2 pills 3 times a day with water or milk for 4 weeks. The outcome measures such as VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), KOOS (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) and 15 meters walking test were used to assess the symptoms before and after treatment. These paired data were analyzed statistically according to Wilcoxon Matched paired signed rank test. KOOS mean pain score was 39.73 ± 2.399 before treatment and it was 56.93 ± 2.214 after treatment with an extremely significant improvement. Similarly there was a significant (52.14± 3.449) improvement at 4th week in KOOS symptoms score. There was a significant change in the mean of KOOS total score (13.6%) and, significant improvement was observed in VAS (56.80 ± 2.571) and walking time (22.85 ± 0.527) at 4th week. Therefore, it is revealed that when Qurs-e- mafasil administered orally the symptoms of osteoarthritis are relived significantly