Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of Garcinia kola capsules on Gonarthrosis and low back pain

Abstract

Garcinia kola (Clusiaceae) commonly known as "Bitter cola", is a shrub from the forests of Central and East Africa. In Cameroon it is found in Mbam and Moungo divisions. Garcinia kola seeds are widely consumed by local populations, sometimes in search of a simple pleasure, sometimes in search of its multiple pharmacological properties. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and the tolerance of Garcinia kola capsules (BTK capsules *) on gonarthrosis and lumbago. A pilot study was carried out on 90 patients (68 women and 22 men). The patients were divided into 3 groups. Patients in the first group received Garcinia kola capsules at a dose of 800 mg per day while those in the second group received Diclofenac tablets at a dose of 100 mg per day and those in the third group received placebo capsules. The judgement criteria were highly sensitive C Reactiv Protein (HS-CRP), sedimentation rate (SR), visual analogue scale (VAS). The test significance threshold was set at a probability of p ˂ 0.05. The first group (Garcinia kola) showed: HS-CRP p ˂ 0.002, VAS p ˂ 0.001 and SR: p ˂ 0.003; the second group (Diclofenac): HS-CRP p = 0.001, VAS p ˂ 0.001 and SR p ˂ 0.001. For the placebo group: HS-CRP p = 0.916, VAS p = 0.002 and SR p = 0.829. These results confirm that Garcinia kola at a dose of 400 mg twice a day has anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of Diclofenac at 50 mg twice a day. Biological tests revealed that Garcinia kola (BTK *) capsules have no harmful effects on kidney function, liver function, blood sugar and blood pressure. Libido was increased in men.