Study: Qingpeng ointment reduces pain, swelling and improves joint mobility

A recent study delved into the efficacy and safety of a traditional Tibetan medicine the Qingpeng ointment (QPO), in managing acute gouty arthritis (AGA) symptoms. The findings were published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.

This study employed a rigorous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial design and involved the individuals with AGA whose joint pain rated at least 3 on a visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 10. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either QPO application twice daily for seven consecutive days or a placebo. Joint pain and swelling were the primary outcomes assessed, while the secondary outcomes included joint mobility, redness, serum uric acid levels, C-reactive protein levels and the amount of remaining rescue medicine. And any adverse events were meticulously recorded throughout the trial.

The results from this study revealed compelling evidence of the effectiveness of QPO in managing AGA symptoms. The participants in the QPO group underwent significant reduction in joint pain and swelling when compared to the individuals in the placebo group. Also, QPO demonstrated a clear improvement in joint mobility which is a crucial aspect of AGA management.

This study also emphasized the safety profile of QPO, where only mild adverse events and primarily skin irritation were reported, these were resolved with dosage adjustment or discontinuation of the medication. Traditional medicines like the QPO are deeply rooted in centuries-old practices which helps in exploring novel therapeutic interventions for AGA and other inflammatory conditions.

Source:

Shang, Y., Wei, S., Yang, K., Liu, Y., Wei, S., Dong, X., Wang, X., Xie, Z., Fang, R., Liang, L., Li, X., Xu, L., Chen, M., Zhang, K., Huang, J., Wang, L., Yang, Y., Liao, H., Xing, G., … Liu, J. (2024). Efficacy of Qingpeng ointment (a Tibetan medicine) for acute gouty arthritis: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. In BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (Vol. 24, Issue 1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-04328-7