why choose us

300×250 Ad Slot

Research Article: Clinical efficacy analysis of platelet-rich plasma combined with Xianling Gubao Capsules in the treatment of early-middle stage knee osteoarthritis

Date Published: 2026-05-13

Abstract:
To assess the clinical efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) combined with Xianling Gubao Capsules in the treatment of early to moderate knee osteoarthritis (KOA, Kellgren-Lawrence grade I–III), and to explore exploratory associations with serum levels of transforming growth factor-?1 (TGF-?1) and Smad-1, thereby providing clinical and mechanistic evidence for an integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine approach in managing early-moderate KOA. A total of 60 patients with early to moderate KOA admitted to Gaoyou People’s Hospital between January 2024 and January 2025 were enrolled in this single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT) and randomly assigned to a control group ( n = 30) or a study group ( n = 30). The control group received intra-articular PRP injection (5 mL per injection, once weekly for three consecutive weeks). The study group received the same PRP regimen plus oral Xianling Gubao Capsules twice daily for 6 weeks. Primary outcome: change in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) total score at 6 months after treatment. Secondary outcomes: the visual analog scale (VAS) score, clinical effective rate, serum TGF-?1 and Smad-1 levels, and adverse reactions. Clinical symptoms were evaluated using the VAS and the WOMAC before treatment, 1 month after treatment, and 6 months after treatment. Serum TGF-?1 and Smad-1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at the same time points. Adverse reactions were recorded and compared between the two groups. All patients completed follow-up. The clinical effective rate was 96.7% in the study group and 90.0% in the control group, with no statistically significant difference ( P > 0.05). Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. After treatment, VAS and WOMAC scores significantly decreased in both groups ( P < 0.05), with lower scores observed in the study group compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). Serum TGF-?1 levels significantly decreased in both groups after treatment ( P < 0.05), with a greater reduction in the study group ( P < 0.05). Although serum Smad-1 levels did not change significantly within each group before and after treatment ( P > 0.05), the post-treatment level in the study group was higher than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions did not differ significantly between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Platelet-rich plasma combined with Xianling Gubao Capsules effectively alleviates pain and improves joint function in patients with early to moderate KOA, with superior efficacy compared to PRP alone. Exploratory serum biomarker findings suggest potential associations with downregulation of TGF-?1 and upregulation of Smad-1, which may be linked to inhibited joint inflammation and promoted cartilage repair. The combined regimen is safe and does not increase the risk of adverse reactions.

No summary available.

300×250 Ad Slot