Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To explore the effectiveness and possible mechanism of Shangke Lengtong Patch in treating knee osteoarthritis with cold-dampness arthralgia obstruction.
METHODS A total of 70 patients who met the inclusion criteria of knee osteoarthritis with cold-dampness arthralgia obstruction in the Orthopedics Department of Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from November to December 2024 were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 35 cases in each group. During the treatment, 1 case dropped out of the experimental group, 3 cases dropped out of the control group, and 1 case was discontinued. The experimental group was treated with Shangke Lengtong Patch, and the control group was treated with Compound Nanxing Zhitong Ointment. The WOMAC scores and TCM syndrome scores of the two groups before and after treatment were compared to comprehensively evaluate the clinical efficacy. The changes in the expression levels of CGRP, substance P, HMGB1, IL-1β, CXCL12, and CXCR4 in the serum of the two groups were detected by ELISA.
RESULTS After 3, 7, and 14 d of treatment, the WOMAC scores and TCM syndrome scores of the two groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the score of aggravated cold in the experimental group was better than that in the control group at 7 d of treatment (P < 0.05); after 14 d of treatment, the expression levels of CGRP, substance P, HMGB1, IL-1β, CXCL12, and CXCR4 in the serum of the two groups were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference between the two groups.
CONCLUSION Shangke Lengtong Patch can significantly relieve the pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis patients with cold-dampness arthralgia obstruction and improve the joint function of patients. It may improve synovial inflammation by inhibiting the HMGB1/CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect.