MedPath

PB125, Osteoarthritis, Pain, Mobility, and Energetics

Not Applicable
Terminated
Conditions
Osteoarthritis, Knee
Pain, Joint
Muscle Weakness
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: PB125
Dietary Supplement: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT04638387
Lead Sponsor
Colorado State University
Brief Summary

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an important regulator in the body. It controls how well cells protect themselves against stress. PB125 (Pathways Bioscience) is a plant based activator of this important regulator Nrf2. PB125 is made up of three plant extracts (rosemary, ashwagandha, and Sophora japonica) so that it contains these things; 1. Carnosol, 2. Withaferin A, and 3. Luteolin. Carnosol comes from rosemary leaves. Rosemary is a spice often used in Italian foods and grown in many herb gardens all around Fort Collins. Withaferin A comes from the medicinal plant Withania somnifera, also called ashwagandha. Ashwaganda is commonly known as "Indian Winter cherry" or "Indian Ginseng" and it is one of the most important herbs of Ayurveda (the traditional system of medicine in India) used for millennia. Finally, luteolin is found widely in plants including those present in the diet (peppers, onions, celery, herbs/spices). Some people purchase these herbs commercially, and take them on their own for a variety of purposes. Typically, when you buy them, they will be in much higher doses than they are in PB125. What makes PB125 different is that very low doses of each of the 3 components work together-synergistically-to activate Nrf2 and increase the ability of cells to respond to stress. It is unknown if there are any benefits to taking PB125 and the risks are currently unknown. The purpose of this study is to examine changes in muscle, in joint pain, in mobility (standing and walking) and in leg strength that occur after consuming PB125 every day for 3 months. We want to make these measurements in people who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate osteoarthritis-a degenerative joint disease-in their knees.

Detailed Description

Preventing or slowing age-related decline in musculoskeletal function is important for maintaining mobility and independence. In the US, osteoarthritis (OA) is the primary cause of disability in adults, with no medical or surgical therapeutic intervention known to restore the degenerated cartilage. The loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age, is also linked to increased risk of other diseases, risk of falls, and decreased quality of life. Therefore, OA and muscle loss together are primary contributors to age-related decreases in mobility and independence. Evidence suggests a decrease in muscle quality is associated with or precedes primary knee OA, suggesting that these two conditions may share a common cause. We will treat 50-65 year old people with mild or moderate OA in both knees, and reported loss of muscle strength, with a supplement already available for use in humans to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. The supplement is called PB125. In this pilot clinical trial, we will measure the ability of muscle to make energy, measure mobility (walking and standing) and strength, and assess pain following PB125 or placebo treatment.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
4
Inclusion Criteria
  • bilateral knee osteoarthritis
Exclusion Criteria
  • smoking
  • pregnant/breastfeeding
  • BMI >30
  • known liver, renal, heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease, cancer
  • use of methotrexate, etanercept, infliximab, leflunomide, plaquenil
  • recent serious illness
  • intraarticular stem cell injection
  • intraarticular steroid or hyaluronic acid injection within 4 months
  • current enrollment in another trial of investigational drugs
  • known hypersensitivity to ashwagandha, luteolin, rosemary, or rice flour
  • use of anticoagulants or known bleeding disorder
  • unwillingness to comply with protocol
  • plans for knee replacement in the next 3 years
  • unable to complete mobility testing without ambulatory aid
  • unable to climb 1-2 flights or stairs without stopping/shortness of breath/discomfort
  • blood product transfusion within 30 days
  • unable to provide legal consent

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PB125PB125Twice daily oral administration of 1 capsule of PB125 (Pathways Bioscience). Treatment will last 12 weeks.
PlaceboPlaceboTwice daily oral administration of 1 capsule of rice flour placebo (Pathways Bioscience). Treatment will last 12 weeks. Because of pandemic restricting study time frame, enrollment will favor the experimental arm in this pilot study
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mobility-6 min fast-paced walkChange from baseline at 12 weeks

Change in Distance walked

Energetics-Maximal Oxygen ConsumptionChange from baseline at 12 weeks

Change in O2 flux in permeabilized muscle fibers at maximal ADP concentrations

Mobility-6 min self-paced walkChange from baseline at 12 weeks

Change in Distance walked

Mobility-sit to standChange from baseline at 12 weeks

Change in Time for 5 sit to stand repetitions

Mobility-static balanceChange from baseline at 12 weeks

Yes/No ability to complete 30 sec trials with eyes open or closed on firm and foam surfaces

Intermittent and Constant Knee PainChange weekly for 12 weeks

Weekly change in Intermittent and Constant Pain Score (ICOAP) 11 question survey of pain on a 0-4 scale

Energetics-Submaximal Oxygen ConsumptionChange from baseline at 12 weeks

Change in oxygen (O2) flux in permeabilized muscle fibers at submaximal adenosine diphosphate (ADP) concentrations

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Energetics-hydrogen peroxide emissionChange from baseline at 12 weeks

Change in Hydrogen peroxide emission in permeabilized muscle fibers

Knee Range of MotionChange from baseline at 12 weeks

Change in active and passive bilateral knee range of motion

Leg extensor strengthChange from baseline at 12 weeks

Change in maximal force generated during knee extension

Bone Mineral DensityChange from baseline at 12 weeks

Bone mineral density via dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Colorado State University

🇺🇸

Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath