Effects of resveratrol on biochemical and structural outcomes in osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies

Zhao W, Zhu Y, Wong SK, et al. · Heliyon

Pooled animal data favor resveratrol: Mankin cartilage-damage scores from six studies were lower in treated animals (MD -2.93, 95% CI -5.01 to -0.85, I-squared 99%), with reduced synovial-fluid IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and nitric oxide and less chondrocyte apoptosis; serum IL-6 did not differ. Establishes consistent preclinical activity, not human efficacy.

Population

15 animal studies of resveratrol in osteoarthritis models (mice, rats, rabbits), oral gavage or intra-articular injection

Intervention

Resveratrol by oral gavage or intra-articular injection, 2-12 weeks

Comparator

Vehicle / saline controls

Limitations

262 animals across 15 studies, all treated for 12 weeks or less. Mankin-score heterogeneity was extreme (I-squared 99%), its funnel plot asymmetric and its calculated power 0.52; no included study reported blinding or allocation concealment (SYRCLE assessment); doses and routes (including intra-articular, unavailable to a supplement user) vary widely. Funded by a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia faculty grant; no competing interests.