Inside the Arthrohills Capsule Study: What a CTRI-Registered Trial Reported on Knee Joint Comfort
By Herbal Hills Research Team | Medically reviewed by: Dr. Ajitkumar Mandlecha, BAMS, M.Phil (Musculoskeletal Disorder), Medical Director, Vishwanand Kendra, Pune
Practitioners looking for an Ayurvedic medicine for knee pain increasingly ask one question first: is there clinical data? Arthrohills, a ghee-based soft gel capsule from Herbal Hills, is one of the few Ayurvedic proprietary formulations evaluated in a trial registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India. Here is what that study, and a second published study, reported.
Quick answer: In a CTRI-registered, open-label, multicentre study (CTRI/2017/06/008786), 33 adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis took 2 Arthrohills capsules daily for 90 days. Mean VAS pain scores fell from 68.93 to 31.88, WOMAC stiffness scores fell 53.95% and WOMAC pain scores fell 48.84%, with no drug-related adverse effects reported.
Key takeaways
- Study registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India: CTRI/2017/06/008786.
- 33 participants with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, 90 days, 2 capsules daily.
- Mean VAS score: 68.93 at baseline → 31.88 at Day 90 (p<0.05 at every visit).
- WOMAC stiffness score −53.95% and WOMAC pain score −48.84% by end of study.
- 81.81% of participants showed minimum to much improvement on investigator global assessment; 6.06% used rescue medication (paracetamol) during the study.
- A second study (IJRAMS 2021, 30 participants, 21 days) reported total WOMAC falling from 48.21 to 27.12 (P<0.001).
Contents
- What is Arthrohills capsule?
- How is knee osteoarthritis understood in Ayurveda?
- How was Arthrohills studied as an Ayurvedic medicine for knee pain?
- What results did the study report?
- What did the study observe about safety?
- Why does the ghee base matter for a joint formulation?
- Which patients were included, and who was excluded?
- Is there a recommended companion product?
- How can clinics source Arthrohills?
- Study at a glance
- Frequently asked questions
What is Arthrohills capsule?
Arthrohills is an Ayurvedic proprietary soft gel capsule containing 500 mg of Arthrohills Ghruta per capsule, prepared by the Siddha Ghruta method in cow ghee and cow milk. The formulation includes Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Methi, Sunthi, Maharasnadi, Dashmooladi, Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Chopchini, Shuddha Guggul, Shuddha Laksha and Asthishrunkhala, herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for Sandhivata.
How is knee osteoarthritis understood in Ayurveda?
Ayurveda describes knee osteoarthritis under Sandhivata, a Vata disorder of the joints linked with ageing, diet and lifestyle. Its classical features are Sandhi shoola (pain), Sandhi shotha (swelling), stiffness and crepitus. Published Indian data cited in the study place knee osteoarthritis prevalence at 22% to 39%, making it one of the most common conditions seen in Ayurvedic joint practice.
How was Arthrohills studied as an Ayurvedic medicine for knee pain?
It was an open-label, prospective, multicentre study registered as CTRI/2017/06/008786 and conducted in Pune after Institutional Ethics Committee approval. Thirty-three adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis took 2 capsules each morning on an empty stomach with lukewarm water or milk for 90 days. Outcomes were VAS, WOMAC, time to walk 50 feet, quality of life, global assessment and laboratory safety parameters.
What results did the study report?
Mean VAS pain scores fell from 68.93 at baseline to 31.88 at Day 90, with a significant change (p<0.05) at every 15-day visit. WOMAC stiffness scores fell by 53.95% and WOMAC pain scores by 48.84%. Quality of life on the Karnofsky and Lansky scale improved from 70.91 to 77.27, and the time taken to walk 50 feet improved over the study period.
What did the study observe about safety?
The study reported no drug-related adverse effects on clinical or laboratory parameters; the majority of adverse events recorded were judged unrelated to the study product. Rescue medication (paracetamol) was used by 6.06% of participants during the 90 days. A separate 21-day safety study in 30 osteoarthritis participants, published in IJRAMS in 2021, also reported no adverse effects.
Why does the ghee base matter for a joint formulation?
In Ayurveda, Sandhivata is a Vata condition marked by dryness (rukshata) in the joints, and ghee is traditionally used to counter Vata. Processing joint herbs in cow ghee by the Siddha Ghruta method combines the herbs with this classical carrier. The soft gel format delivers a fixed 500 mg dose of the ghrita in each capsule.
Which patients were included, and who was excluded?
The study included men and women with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis and no major health condition. The second study included adults aged 40 to 70 with a VAS score of 4 cm or more; pregnant and lactating women, people with severe disabling arthritis and those with a recent intra-articular injection were excluded. Practitioners should assess suitability case by case.
Is there a recommended companion product?
The Arthrohills study booklet recommends Arthrohills Joint Care Oil for external application alongside the capsule. The oil has its own published study in 48 participants with musculoskeletal pain, covered in the next article in this series.
How can clinics source Arthrohills?
Arthrohills is supplied directly by the manufacturer in 30 and 60 capsule retail packs and a 900 capsule value pack. The 900 capsule pack works out about 23% lower per capsule than the 60 capsule pack, which suits clinics that dispense regularly.
Study at a glance
| Registration | CTRI/2017/06/008786 (08/06/2017) |
|---|---|
| Design | Open-label, prospective, multicentre |
| Participants | 33, mild–moderate knee OA |
| Duration / dose | 90 days | 2 capsules daily, morning, empty stomach |
| VAS pain (mean) | 68.93 → 31.88 (p<0.05) |
| WOMAC stiffness | −53.95% |
| WOMAC pain | −48.84% |
| Quality of life (Karnofsky) | 70.91 → 77.27 |
| Global improvement | 81.81% (investigator) |
| Rescue medication use | 6.06% of participants |
| Supporting study | IJRAMS 2021, n=30, 21 days, WOMAC 48.21 → 27.12 |
About the research
Herbal Hills studies were conducted at Vishwanand Kendra, Centre for Integrative Medicine & Research, Pune, under Dr. Ajitkumar Mandlecha (Medical Director) and Dr. Gous Mujawar (Research Head), with Institutional Ethics Committee approval.
About Herbal Hills
Herbal Hills has spent over 25 years manufacturing Ayurvedic formulations in ISO and GMP certified facilities. Our ghee-based soft gel capsules are prepared with cow ghee from our own cow farm using the classical Siddha Ghruta method, and nine of our formulations have been evaluated in clinical studies, eight of them published in peer-reviewed journals. Doctors, clinics, distributors and medical stores can buy directly from the manufacturer in retail packs or value packs.
Registered Ayurvedic practitioners can request the full study summary and a free product sample for clinical evaluation. Share your name, clinic name and registration number through the enquiry form or WhatsApp button on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Arthrohills study registered?
Yes. It is registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India as CTRI/2017/06/008786.
How many people took part in the Arthrohills study?
33 adults with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis took part for 90 days.
What change in pain score was reported?
Mean VAS scores fell from 68.93 at baseline to 31.88 at Day 90 (p<0.05).
What dose was used in the study?
2 capsules daily in the morning on an empty stomach with lukewarm water or milk.
Were side effects reported?
No drug-related adverse effects were reported on clinical or laboratory parameters.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes and is intended for healthcare professionals, clinic owners and trade partners. The results described were observed in the study participants named above; individual results may vary. Herbal Hills products are Ayurvedic proprietary medicines and should be used under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. The studies referenced were sponsored by Herbal Hills and conducted by an independent research centre.
References
- Pande S, Pawar N, Deshpande V. An open label, prospective, multicentre clinical study to evaluate efficacy and safety of Arthrohills capsules in subjects suffering from osteoarthritis of knee(s). CTRI/2017/06/008786.
- Mandlecha A, Mujawar G. A safety evaluation and tolerability of Arthrohills capsule, an Ayurveda formulation, in osteoarthritis subjects. IJRAMS. 2021;4(1):22-27.
- Pal CP et al. Epidemiology of knee osteoarthritis in India and related factors. Indian J Orthop. 2016;50(5):518-22.
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