In September 2018 researchers from Iran and Australia published the results of their study to assess the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of a garlic supplement on levels of resistin and TNF-α, which are pro-inflammatory adipocytokines, and on pain severity in overweight or obese women with knee osteoarthritis. A total of 80 post-menopausal overweight or obese women (aged 50-75 years; BMI between 25-40 kg/m2) with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis were included in the study. The individuals were divided into two groups and received either twice daily garlic tablets (total 1000 mg) or a placebo for 12 weeks. Blood tests were taken and pain levels assessed. Results showed that at 12 weeks, resistin levels were significantly decreased in the garlic group although the TNF-α levels did not change significantly within or between the two groups. Pain scores were also significantly reduced following the garlic supplementation but not following the placebo. The researchers concluded that the findings suggest that garlic supplementation for 12 weeks may reduce pain severity in overweight or obese women with knee osteoarthritis, which may, at least in part, be due to a reduction in the pro-inflammatory adipocytokine, resistin.
Dehghani S et al. The effect of a garlic supplement on the pro-inflammatory adipocytokines, resistin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and on pain severity, in overweight or obese women with knee osteoarthritis. Phytomedicine. 2018 Sep 15;48:70-75.