PO1: Project 1: Dose Escalation Study of Chinese
Herbs in Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Abstract

We propose to conduct a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase II dose-escalation clinical trial to find an optimally efficacious, safe, and tolerable dosage of HLXL extract as adjunctive treatment in 180 patients, aged 40 and over, diagnosed with OA of the knee. Sixty participants at each dosage level will be randomized to HLXL or placebo in a 2:1 allocation ratio. They will be treated for 6 weeks and assessed at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 weeks for the clinically important outcomes of pain and functional limitation using valid, reliable and responsive measures - the Western Ontario McMaster (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index, the Patient Global Assessment (PGA), and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36), among others. We will record adverse events and symptoms and conduct blood and urine analyses, ECGs, and physical examinations. We will assess adherence with the treatment regimen via pill counts and diary, and track concomitant drug and treatment use. We will assay C reactive protein and will measure cyclo-oxygenase (COX) 1 and 2 activity as biological markers of inflammation and disease.

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