Effect of Arctium lappa linne (Burdock) root tea consumption on lipid profile and blood pressure in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disabling joint disorder worldwide. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of burdock root tea consumption on lipid profile and blood pressure in patients with OA. In this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial 36 patients (10 males and 26 females) aged 50–70 years old suffering from bilateral knee Osteoarthritis were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The routine treatment was considered for all patients during the study. The intervention group received 3 cups / day of Burdock root tea (2 g tea bags steeped in 150 ml of boiled water for 10 min) and control group received only 3 cups / day of boiled water (150 ml) 30 min after meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for 6 weeks. Blood lipid profile and blood pressure were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks post intervention. Total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C ratios, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly decreased post intervention. A significant increase in HDL-C level was observed in the intervention group. At the end of the study, there was a significant difference in LDL-C, HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C ratios and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups. It is suggested that consumption of burdock root tea may improve lipid profile and blood pressure status in patients with knee OA. Further studies may need to confirm these effects.