Oxaceprol Monotherapy versus Oxaceprol and Glucosamine Combination Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the commonest form of arthritis which presents with joint pain and functional limitations. Oxaceprol, a derivative of hydroxyproline, inhibits leukocyte migration into the joints thus inhibiting inflammatory process. Oxaceprol also increases availability of Glucosamine and improving uptake of Glucosamine and Proline in chondrocytes. Aims and Objective: To demonstrate efficacy of Oxaceprol Monotherapy versus Oxaceprol and Glucosamine combination therapy in patients diagnosed with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA). Materials and Methods: This was an open labelled, parallel group, Randomized Controlled Trial where 40 adults age ≥50 years diagnosed with KOA randomly received either Oxaceprol 600mg OD for 4 weeks, or combination of Oxaceprol 600mg OD and Glucosamine Sulphate 1500mg OD for 4 weeks. The patients were analysed as per the differences between WOMAC scale scores, and visual analogue scale (VAS) recording from baseline to 4 weeks of treatment. Results: Our study showed that both Oxaceprol monotherapy (group A, n=20), and Glucosamine plus Oxaceprol combination therapy (group B, n=20) improved joint pain, stiffness, and functionality as shown by analysing WOMAC scores before, and after 4 weeks of treatment. Interestingly, VAS scores, though improved in both the groups individually, were not significantly different from each other. Conclusion: Regardless of limitations, we conclude that the efficacy of Oxaceprol and Glucosamine combination therapy is better than Oxaceprol monotherapy. Further studies are required to examine mechanism of this effect at cellular level.