Pain and Inflammation Management: Part-II Clinical Investigation of a Topical Ayurvedic Cream called HerboCare or HerboJointTM

Abstract

Background: Joint pain and chronic inflammation pose significant health challenges, particularly among the elderly population. Current treatments often offer only temporary relief and are associated with potential side effects.  Ayurvedic botanical herbs and oils, known for their phytochemical-rich, anti-inflammatory properties, hold promise in addressing these issues.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of HerboCare orHerboJoint™, a topical Ayurvedic cream, in alleviating muscle discomfort, inflammation, and joint pain, along with its impact on inflammatory cytokines, particularly TNF-α on human subjects. While HerboCare or HerboJoint had a very low content of Menthol, HerboJoint-Plus (not reported in this study) was formulated with a much higher content of USP grade Menthol.Methods: HerboCareor HerboJoint™ cream, formulated with essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus, Hedychium spicatum, Zanthoxylum alatum, and Menthol (Mentha arvensis), was evaluated in two sets of clinical trials over a 90-day period. Patients with joint pain were divided into different treatment groups, and their pain, swelling, stiffness, and inflammatory marker TNF-α were assessed.Results: In the first set of trials, HerboCare orHerboJoint™ significantly reduced joint pain (29%), joint swelling (31%), and joint stiffness (60%) in patients. In the second set, TNF-α levels were reduced by 38% in the HerboCare orHerboJoint™-only group, 63% in the HerboCare orHerboJoint™ and prescribed formulation group, and 71% in the group receiving only the prescribed formulation. These results underscored the cream's efficacy in mitigating inflammation.Conclusion: HerboCare orHerboJoint™, formulated with Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)-affirmed botanical ingredients, demonstrates clinical effectiveness in relieving joint pain and inflammation. This Ayurvedic approach offers a safe and cost-effective alternative for managing these debilitating conditions.Keywords: Muscular discomfort,Joint Pain, Essential Oils; Menthol; Inflammatory Cytokines; Clinical Study