> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodconsumer.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Taiwanese herb helps arthritis
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/taiwanese_herb_helps_arthritis_0603141156/
- Published: 2014-06-03T12:55:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:26:59.000Z
- Description: A Journal of Medicinal Food study reports that a stem and root extract of Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana curbed inflammation in human chondrocytes and eased induced arthritis in rabbits and rats, improving weight bearing and range of motion in the animals.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Herbs, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Tuesday June 3, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A study in Journal of Medicinal Food tested Vitis thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc. var. taiwaniana Lu (VT) and found evidence to suggest that the herbal supplement may help patients with knee damage associated with arthritis.

VT is an indigenous plant found in Taiwan, which is traditionally employed as a herbal medicine to prevent joint diseases like arthritis. 

In this study, C. F. Tsai et al. tested VT for its anti-inflammatory effects on arthritis in in vitro primary human chondrocytes and two in-vivo animal models.

A stem and root extract of VT "significantly scavenged DPPH radicals and inhibited prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PHCs without exhibiting significant cytotoxicity," the researchers reported.

The finding may not be too surprising as the water extract of VT stem and roots was found high in flavones and phenols such as resveratrol, hopeaphenol and (+)-?-viniferin.

In in vivo animal models, the extract in a dose of 500 mg/kg significantly lowered serum prostaglandin E2 and knee 2-(18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) levels in rabbits with LPS-induced acute inflammatory arthritis. 

Also, a 28-day supplementation with the VT extract significantly alleviated type II collagenase-induced osteoarthritis in rats and improved weight bearing and range of motion tests. 

The study concluded "the VT-SR is a good candidate for developing dietary supplements to prevent joint deterioration and inhibit inflammation." (David Liu, PHD)

Reference

Tsai CF, Wang KT, Chen LG, Lee CJ, Tseng SH, Wang CC. Anti-inflammatory effects of Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana on knee damage associated with arthritis. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2014 Apr;17(4):479-