Effects of Arctium lappa L. (Burdock) root tea on inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Maghsoumi-Norouzabad et al., 2016 | Int J Rheum Dis | Rct

Citation

Maghsoumi-Norouzabad Leila, Alipoor Beitollah, ... Asghari Jafarabadi Mohammad. Effects of Arctium lappa L. (Burdock) root tea on inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Int J Rheum Dis. 2016-Mar;19(3):255-61. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.12477

Abstract

AIM: This study was designed to examine the effect of Burdock root tea on inflammatory markers and oxidative stress indicators in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Thirty-six patients (10 men and 26 women) aged 50-70 years old with knee osteoarthritis referred to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Hospitals, were selected for the study and randomly divided into two groups. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were measured. For all individuals along the 42 days of study period, the same drug treatments, including two lots of 500 mg acetaminophen twice a day and one glucosamine 500 mg once a day,were considered. The intervention group received daily three cups of Burdock root tea (each cup containing 2 g/150 mL boiled water) half-hour after the meal. The control group received three cups containing 150 cc boiled water daily. We assessed inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and oxidative stress indicators such as total antioxidants capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The results showed that burdock root tea significantly decreased the levels of serum IL-6 (P = 0.002), hs-CRP (P = 0.003) and malondialdehyde (P < 0.001), while the levels of serum TAC (P < 0.001) and activities of SOD (P = 0.009) were significantly increased. GPX activities increased but not significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that Arctium lappa L. root tea improves inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Key Findings

The results showed that burdock root tea significantly decreased the levels of serum IL-6 (P = 0.002), hs-CRP (P = 0.003) and malondialdehyde (P < 0.001), while the levels of serum TAC (P < 0.001) and activities of SOD (P = 0.009) were significantly increased. GPX activities increased but not significantly.

Outcomes Measured

  • C-reactive protein
  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population knee osteoarthritis
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range aged 50-70
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Arctium
  • Beverages
  • Biomarkers
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Iran
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Roots
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: burdock

Provenance


Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-12