Rosehip powder may improve knee joint biomechanics, says study

Twelve weeks of supplementation with the commercial ingredient Rosenoids​ (Orkla Health, formerly Axellus) were associated with an increase in knee joint moments and greater knee flexion, according to findings published in Gait & Posture​.​

“This is the first study to assess the efficacy of rosehip on the biomechanics of the knee joint during walking,”​ wrote researchers from the Department of Rheumatology, Copenhagen University Hospitals at Bispebjerg-Frederiksberg.

“Although there is no consensus on which variables to report from intervention studies, the current body of evidence – including the present study – indicates that knee joint biomechanics during walking provide important information related to mobility limitations, and that gait analyses is a sensitive tool for detection of even subtle changes.”​

Supplement​

The study used a specialized powder prepared from rosehip (Rosa canina​ L) containing vitamin C, flavonoids, carotens, triterpene acids, and galactolipids. Rosenoids​ is already used in a number of commercial products, including LitoZin.

A 2008 meta-analysis published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage​ indicated that Extracts from rosehip may reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis by 37 per cent, according to a meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials (287 patients with an average trial length of three months).

This study was partially funded by Norwegian company Orkla Health.

Study details​

The Danish researchers recruited 100 adults with knee related walking limitations (average age 67) to participate in their randomized, participant and outcome assessor blinded trial. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the rosehip supplements (providing 2,250 mg of rosehip powder per day) or placebo for three months.

Data from the 94 people who completed the study indicated that the resultant knee moment was significant improved in the rosehip group, compared with placebo.

The Rosehip group also displayed greater joint moments and increased knee joint flexion while walking, compared with the placebo group.

On the other hand, no significant differences between the groups were observed for self-reported knee complaints, health-related quality of life, or in the physician's global assessment.

“The present results corroborate previous studies of rosehip nutritional additives, although these studies have focused on knee osteoarthritis,”​ wrote the researchers. “The participants in the present study were not required to have a specific diagnosis and thus the results cannot be transferred to specific diagnoses.”​

Source: Gait & Posture​​
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.07.001
“Improved gait in persons with knee related mobility limitations by a rosehip food supplement: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial”​
Authors: E. Ginnerup-Nielsen, R. Christensen, H. Bliddal, G. Zangger, L. Hansen, M. Henriksen