Combined glucosamine and methylsulfonylmethane -- better known as just MSM --
is more effective against osteoarthritis than either agent alone, according to
Indian researchers.
In the journal Clinical Drug Investigations, Drs. P. R. Usha and M. U. R.
Naidu report that although the individual agents did improve pain and swelling
in patients' affected joints, the combined therapy was more effective than the
single agents in reducing these symptoms and improving the function of joints.
In a clinical trial conducted at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences in
Hyderabad, 118 patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis were treated three
times daily with either 500 milligrams of glucosamine, 500 milligrams of
methylsulfonylmethane, a combination of both, or an inactive placebo.
After 12 weeks of treatment, the average pain score had fallen from 1.74 to
0.65 in the glucosamine-only group. In MSM-only participants, it fell from 1.53
to 0.74. However, in the combination group, it fell from 1.7 to 0.36.
The researchers also found that the combination treatment had a faster effect
on pain and inflammation compared to glucosamine alone.
All of the treatments were well tolerated.
"It can be concluded," they observe, "that the combination of
methylsulfonylmethane with glucosamine provides better and more rapid
improvement in patients with osteoarthritis."
SOURCE: Clinical Drug Investigations, June 2004.
