The objective of this systematic review was to present and evaluate the current evidence for the clinical effectiveness of treatment with rosehip powder in patients with osteoarthritis.
A systematic search of the literature (Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Collaboration Library) of all publications up to February 2006 was conducted. The terms searched for were rose hip, rosehip, Rosa canina, Hagebutte and osteoarthritis, arthritis and arthrosis. The studies turned up were subjected to a standardized assessment of method and content.
Two double-blind randomized studies were analysed: both were relatively small (N = 100 and 112) and had a Jadad score of 5. In both studies, the rosehip powder LitoZin was employed. In the first study (parallel design; endpoint after 4 months), it was found that rosehip powder, in comparison with placebo, significantly improved hip flexion (p < 0.05), but no significant change was observed for internal and external rotation of the hips or in flexion of the knee. In the second study (crossover design, endpoints after 3 and 6 months) 66% of the patients receiving the test substance, and 35% of the patients on placebo reported a reduction in pain after3 months (p < 0.0128). A comparison of the consumption of analgesics after 3 months revealed no significant difference between the two groups. A comparison after 6 months showed no difference in the two endpoints, which, however, might be due to a possible carryover effect.
In both studies rosehip powder had a moderate effect in patients with osteoarthritis.