Efficacy and safety of native type II collagen in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

PURPOSE: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of clinical arthritis in middle-aged and older individuals. Undenatured or native type II (TII) collagen derived from the chicken sternum has a good therapeutic effect on relieving severe pain of OA. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of TII collagen (Native CT-II®) in individuals with knee OA. METHODS: We conducted a 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study on 101 participants aged 40–65 years with knee OA. The participants were randomised to receive either TII collagen, glucosamine hydrochloride + chondroitin sulfate (G + C) or a placebo. The primary outcome was an improvement in the joint health of the participants assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) compared to G + C and placebo. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group (n = 27), the TII collagen group (n = 29) and G + C group (n = 29) significantly improved the overall joint health measured by the change in WOMAC total score (week 12: TII collagen = -32.47 ± 19.51 and G + C = -33.74 ± 24.64 vs. placebo = -13.84 ± 17.61; p < 0.05) and relieved knee joint pain (week 12: TII collagen = -5.69 ± 3.66 and G + C = -6.03 ± 4.72 vs. placebo = -2.71 ± 3.95; p < 0.05). The statistically significant effect was observed as early as 4 weeks after the investigational product administration. Additionally, the TII collagen was more effective in improving the quality of life than the G + C. CONCLUSION: TII collagen not only has a significantly better effect and high safety profile for OA but also improves the quality of life of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1 – Randomized Controlled Trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04470336; First submitted date: July 08, 2020; First posted date: July 14, 2020.