P. 44-48 /

The therapeutic effect of oral Channa striatus extract on primary knee osteoarthritis patients

AZIDAH ABDUL KADIR1*, SITI ZUBAIDAH AB WAHAB2, MARYAM MOHD ZULKIFLI1, NORHAYATI MOHD NOOR1, SARINGAT BIN BAI @ BAIE3, JUHARA HARON4
*Corresponding Author:
1. University Sains Malaysia, School of Medical Sciences, Department of Family Medicine, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
2. University Sains Malaysia, School of Medical Sciences, Women Health Development Unit, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
3. University Sains Malaysia, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
4. University Sains Malaysia, School of Medical Sciences, Department of Radiology, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

Abstract

Channa striatus is a fresh water fish known as natural remedy for traditional medicine in Southeast Asian region. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing the effects of oral Channa striatus extract 500 mg/day with placebo given for 3-month intervention period among primary knee osteoarthritis patients. Eighty eight patients were randomly assigned to C.striatus and placebo group. The objectives were to compare pain, symptoms, activity of daily living, sports and quality of life between intervention and control group using Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Analgesic consumption was also compared using analgesic score.
There were significant improvement of pain, symptoms and quality of life (QOL) domain score (p<0.05) in C. striatus group compared to patients who received placebo. There were no changes in safety profile parameters among the patients before and after treatment. In conclusion, the oral administration of Channa striatus extract would be a new alternative for knee osteoarthritis treatment.


INTRODUCTION

Channa striatus (CS) is a freshwater snakehead fish that belongs to the Channidae family (1). Recognized as a valuable source of protein throughout the Asia Pacific region, the fish is a well known natural remedy in traditional medicine and has been long been used by people in the region for healing wounds, particularly post-partum and post-operative wounds (1). Studies done on the biochemical composition of the fish have revealed that it contains both fatty acids and amino acids that are important for wound healing (2-6) and anti-nociceptive processes (7, 8). The major amino acids in its extract are glycine, alanine, lysine, aspartic acid, and praline (2, 3). In addition, the major fatty acids are oleic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid (2, 3). These essential amino acids and fatty acids have been shown to facilitate wound healing while simultaneously enhancing anti-nociceptive activity (2-8).

Osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease, involves the structural and functional failure of synovial joints. The disease is the leading cause of chronic disability in the elderly, and is particularly ti ...