Cameron, Melainie 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5788-8790 and Gagnier, Joel J. and Chrubasik, Sigrun
(2011)
Herbal therapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis (review).
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2011 (2):CD002948.
ISSN 1469-493X
Abstract
Background
Herbal medicine interventions have been identified as having potential benefit in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Objectives
To update an existing systematic (Cochrane) review of herbal therapies in RA.
Search methods
We searched electronic databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, Web of Science, Dissertation Abstracts (1996 to 2009), unrestricted by language, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform in October 2010.
Selection criteria
Randomised controlled trials of herbal interventions compared with placebo or active controls in RA.
Data collection and analysis
Two authors selected trials for inclusion, assessed risk of bias and extracted data.
Main results
Twelve new studies were added to the update, a total of 22 studies were included.
Evidence from seven studies indicate potential benefits of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) from evening primrose oil, borage seed oil, or blackcurrent seed oil, in terms of reduced pain intensity (mean difference (MD) ‐32.83 points, 95% confidence interval (CI) ‐56.25 to ‐9.42,100 point pain scale); improved disability (MD ‐15.75% 95% CI ‐27.06 to ‐4.44%); and an increase in adverse events (GLA 20% versus placebo 3%), that was not statistically different (relative risk 4.24, 95% CI 0.78 to 22.99).
Three studies compared Tripterygium wilfordii (thunder god vine) to placebo and one to sulfasalazine and indicated improvements in some outcomes, but data could not be pooled due to differing interventions, comparisons and outcomes. One study reported serious side effects with oral Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. In the follow‐up studies, all side effects were mild to moderate and resolved after the intervention ceased. Two studies compared Phytodolor® N to placebo but poor reporting limited data extraction. The remaining studies each considered differing herbal interventions.
Authors' conclusions
Several herbal interventions are inadequately justified by single studies or non‐comparable studies in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. There is moderate evidence that oils containing GLA (evening primrose, borage, or blackcurrant seed oil) afford some benefit in relieving symptoms for RA, while evidence for Phytodolor® N is less convincing.Tripterygium wilfordii products may reduce some RA symptoms, however, oral use may be associated with several side effects. Many trials of herbal therapies are hampered by research design flaws and inadequate reporting. Further investigation of each herbal therapy is warranted, particularly via well designed, fully powered, confirmatory clinical trials that use American College of Rheumatology improvement criteria to measure outcomes and report results according to CONSORT guidelines.
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| Item Type: | Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C) |
|---|---|
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Published version deposited in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | No Faculty |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | No Faculty |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Apr 2020 04:43 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Jun 2021 00:36 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | phytotherapy; antirheumatic agents; arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis; placebo effect; plant oils; primula; randomized controlled trials as topic; tripterygium; gamma‐linolenic acid |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1103 Clinical Sciences > 110322 Rheumatology and Arthritis |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320223 Rheumatology and arthritis |
| Socio-Economic Objectives (2008): | C Society > 92 Health > 9299 Other Health > 929999 Health not elsewhere classified C Society > 92 Health > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920116 Skeletal System and Disorders (incl. Arthritis) |
| Identification Number or DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002948.pub2 |
| URI: | http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/38100 |
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