A systematic review of 22 animal studies found that traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine interventions consistently reduced key inflammatory markers in osteoarthritis, including NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-1β, IL-18, and Caspase-1 expression.
- 22 animal studies showed traditional medicine approaches reduced inflammation markers in osteoarthritis models
- Effects were moderate-to-large across all molecular markers with low variation between studies
- Medicinal plants, acupuncture, and herbal treatments targeted the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway
How this compares to prior research
Osteoarthritis affects millions worldwide with limited effective treatments that have minimal side effects. Traditional approaches like medicinal plants and acupuncture have been used historically for joint pain and inflammation, but their mechanisms were poorly understood. Recent research has identified the NLRP3 inflammasome as a key driver of osteoarthritis inflammation, creating new opportunities to understand how traditional therapies might work at the molecular level.
Osteoarthritis prevalence among adults, global estimates, 1990–1999
Key findings
- Traditional medicine interventions consistently reduced NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18, and Caspase-1 expression compared to osteoarthritis controls across 22 animal studies
- Pooled effects showed moderate-to-large reductions in inflammatory markers with low between-study heterogeneity (I² approximately 0%)
- Subgroup analyses by osteoarthritis model type, intervention type, and animal species showed similar beneficial effects across all categories
What this means in practice
- Ask your doctor about evidence-based complementary approaches if conventional osteoarthritis treatments have limited effectiveness or cause side effects
- Consider that traditional medicine may work by targeting specific inflammatory pathways rather than just masking pain symptoms
- Note that these findings are from animal studies and human clinical trials are needed before drawing firm conclusions about effectiveness
Frequently asked questions
What is the NLRP3 inflammasome and why does it matter in osteoarthritis?
The NLRP3 inflammasome is a protein complex that regulates immune responses and inflammation. In osteoarthritis, it drives cartilage breakdown and chronic pain by triggering inflammatory molecules.
What types of traditional medicine were studied?
The review examined medicinal plants, acupuncture, and folk herbalism. These treatments have been historically used to address joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation in osteoarthritis.
Have these treatments been tested in humans yet?
These 22 studies were conducted in animals only. The authors recommend further research to determine if these findings translate to clinical benefits in human patients.
Key terms explained
NLRP3 inflammasome
A protein complex in immune cells that triggers inflammation by activating inflammatory molecules like IL-1β and IL-18.
IL-1β (Interleukin-1 beta)
A signaling molecule that promotes inflammation and contributes to cartilage breakdown and pain in osteoarthritis.
Caspase-1
An enzyme that activates inflammatory molecules as part of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in immune responses.
Source: The NLRP3 inflammasome in osteoarthritis: a systematic review of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine efficacy and underlying mechanisms. · DOI: pii: 25. doi: 10.1007/s40199-026-00604-2