Osteoarthritis can be treated with algae
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Osteoarthritis is a serious disease, which only progresses with time: the cartilage is damaged, the mobility of the joint worsens. To date, arthrosis is recognized as an incurable disease. Doctors can offer the patient only those drugs that temporarily relieve symptoms and slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue.
Nevertheless, scientists continue to seek a solution to this problem. Today they suggest stopping degenerative changes in the joints with the help of algae kelp.
What is the treatment for arthrosis these days? As a rule, these are physical exercises, physiotherapy, analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Over the years, when the disease is aggravated, many patients have to resort to joint prosthesis.
Common drugs containing glucosamine and chondroitin are positioned as a means of stopping the progression of the disease. But physicians in Western countries have not been able to scientifically prove such an effect.
A new research project of Dr. Marcy Zenobi-Wong allowed to see "light at the end of the tunnel": perhaps, the arthrosis is still curable?
By conducting in vitro tests, scientists have proved: polysaccharide substance alginate, which is an extract from the kelp of hyperborean, is capable of blocking the destruction of cartilage structures and their destructive changes. It was found that the effectiveness of this substance is close to the capabilities of its own protective cartilage molecules.
Specialists conducted experiments with the derivatives of this polysaccharide, applying them to the effect under various conditions. It turned out that the polysaccharide has the property of a powerful antioxidant and can withstand the harmful oxidation of cartilage cells and reduce the cell population.
The structure of alginate, filled with sulfate groups, becomes an excellent antioxidant for cartilage. In addition, the substance can serve as an immunomodulator, and as an inspector of an inflammatory reaction: alginate reduces the expression of anti-inflammatory genes and damages the closed cycle of development of arthrosis.
The researchers noticed that in all experiments without exception the most effective drug-chondroprotector was alginate, and not the polymeric native molecular structure.
"Marine alginate is an immunomodulator and antioxidant, it can slow down the destructive processes inside the cartilage. We believe that the new drug will stop the disease, "said Professor Marcus Rottmar. "We managed to create a tool that will not only eliminate the symptoms, but can affect the painful process itself, preventing the need for prolonged treatment and even in the operation to replace the joint."
The potential drug should be extremely effective, and the treatment - affordable and easily portable. The use of seaweed practically has no side effects, but it can significantly affect the pathogenesis of such a disease as arthrosis.
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