New pill to stop the agony of arthritis: a revolutionary tablet could stop the pain for millions of people

An X-ray of arthritic hands (Image: Getty)

The treatment also seems to slow the progression of the disease by stopping the destruction of the cartilage – the body's damper. If APPA pbades all the tests, it could be marketed within 10 years.

He will have the chance to change the lives of millions of patients and reduce the £ 1 billion annual health service bill for joint replacement surgery.

The researchers' first discoveries were deemed "so exciting" that the government is funding part of the project to continue testing the drug on humans.

Yesterday, Professor Robert Moots, rheumatologist consultant, who leads the trial of this drug at the Institute of Aging and Chronic Disease at the University of Liverpool, said: "Millions of sufferers Osteoarthritis suffer daily from severe pain because currently available medications are often not effective or can not be used long term.

"APPA could be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis, which would not only help fight the pain it causes, but also do so with excellent tolerance and, we hope, end the disease. and further damage the joints.

How APPA works (Image: Daily Express)

"If the current human trials are successful, this could not only revolutionize arthritis care, but also help reduce the NHS's £ 1 billion bill for the replacement of the disease." hip and knee. "

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body and cause pain, stiffness, swelling and tenderness. In a healthy joint, a hard but smooth, slick tissue covering called cartilage covers the surface of the bones and helps them move against each other without friction. When a person develops the condition, the cartilage breaks down and the joints do not move smoothly.

Bone growths, or spurs, may develop and the area may become inflamed. One-third of women and one-quarter of men aged 45 to 64 have sought treatment for osteoarthritis, according to the charity Versus Arthritis.

That's almost half of people aged 75 and over. Mark Wilkinson, spokesperson for Versus Arthritis and professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Sheffield, said: "More than eight million people in the UK suffer from osteoarthritis, many of whom suffer from excruciating pain every day.

"The majority of people with this condition manage their symptoms with painkillers and joint replacements because there is currently no medication available for the treatment of osteoarthritis." We look forward to seeing the results of the next phase of the test. "

The APPA combines two synthetic versions of plant compounds called apocynine and paenol.

Apocynin comes from a plant that grows in Himalayas in Nepal and has anti-inflammatory abilities. It is traditionally used to treat liver and heart problems, jaundice and asthma.

Paeonol is made from peony blossom and is used in traditional Chinese medicines because of its anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory and anti-tumor effects. David Miles, director of AKL Research & Development, the pharmaceutical company behind the pioneering drug, said: "For the first time, we seem to have a drug that could stop the progression of the disease. a great hope that many patients could avoid the need for joint replacement surgery ". Innovate UK, which is part of the UK government's UK research and innovation organization, has awarded researchers a £ 675,000 grant to continue testing as part of a human trial of phase two. This will explore the effectiveness of treatment and its short-term effects.

The APPA is also being evaluated for the treatment of other inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma. It has been in development for six years and it will take five to six years for its use to be approved if new tests are run smoothly.

Case study

Catherine Manning has been living with intense pain and fatigue caused by arthritis for over 20 years.

She said: "At the age of 12, I was diagnosed for the first time with knee osteoarthritis.

"This caused excruciating pain, instability of the joint and I could feel the bones rubbing against each other.

"The practice of any sport was painful.

"I needed knee replacements before the late twenties, but I was told that I was too young and that I needed to wait. I replaced them at the age of 32 years. "

Catherine, now 33, lives in Esbad with her husband Paul, 13 years old.

Catherine Manning suffered for 20 years (Image: Daily Express)

Although the couple supports and communicates well, she says that her health makes intimacy difficult.

On certain dates, Paul sometimes has to cut Catherine's food, which leaves her uncomfortable.

And her self-esteem was undermined because the medications and steroids she took affected her weight.

Catherine said, "Osteoarthritis makes me feel that I have aged before the hour and am amortized, because arthritis steals the things I want to do and replaces them with pain, stiffness and disability.

"Arthritis can certainly affect the relationship with your partner.

"I found it difficult to be spontaneous because of the pain and canceling appointment nights can be disappointing for Paul and myself.

"When someone pbades from your lover to your caregiver, it can calm things down and make you feel embarrbaded." Speaking openly about her condition helped Catherine and Paul support each other.

She said, "Paul is so understanding and it helps me to tell him I'm having a bad day and I do not want to be touched.

"Without communication, the other person may feel rejected.

"That's why we take the time to talk about what we feel and the adjustments we need to make when it comes to privacy."

Versus Arthritis is campaigning to raise public awareness of the impact that arthritis can have on relationships and everyday life.

Comment by Wendy Holden

OA is thought to affect 8.75 million people in the UK, causing joint pain and stiffness, and is the leading cause of disability.

Previously, it was considered an inevitable part of aging because of the cartilage wear that lines the joints.

The process of osteoarthritis is actually much more complicated than the simple wear and tear of the joints.

It is thought that it is an inflammation due in part to the immune system, and in particular to some white blood cells called neutrophils.

Dr. Wendy Holden [Arthritis Action]

Traditional treatments are mainly limited to badgesics or anti-inflammatories, including naproxen and ibuprofen, but they do not treat the underlying cause.

Promising anti-inflammatories also have many potentially serious side effects, including ulcers and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

At present, there is no medicine that can reverse the effects of arthritis. However, apocynin and paeonol (APPA) are chemicals of plant and animal origin that act on neutrophils responsible for inflammation.

The APPA may be able to treat the cause as well as the effects.

The human trials will be the first step to see if these promising new drugs can reverse what was impossible until now.

Osteoarthritis usually affects the joints of the small fingers, thumbs, hips, knees and feet, as well as the neck and lower back.

The joints are often painful with limited movement, which means that it can be difficult to perform simple tasks such as turning a wrench.

Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, relaxing and reducing stress can all help people with arthritis to better manage their pain.

• Dr. Wendy Holden is a Medical Advisor for Arthritis Action.