An Intervention Study Evaluating the Effects of a Raspberry Leaf Extract in an Osteoarthritic Population.

It is estimated that up to 260 subjects will be screened.

Subjects will undergo an initial phone screen and will be asked questions regarding their age, weight, and general health. Eligible subjects will be scheduled for an initial visit. The study will involve 3 visits over a 12 to 13-week period.

At the initial screening/baseline visit (Visit 1), the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be reviewed and the overall details of the study will be explained and informed consent obtained. Demographic data, vitals (blood pressure, heart rate and temperature), anthropometric measurements (weight, height and BMI) will be recorded. Family and medical history, and concomitant medications will be recorded. For women of child bearing age, a urine sample will be collected and pregnancy test performed. A blood sample (20mls) will be collected and haematology, biochemistry, glucose and hs-CRP will be measured. Additional serum will be aliquoted and stored and inflammatory biomarkers measured at a later date.

Subjects will complete the following questionnaires: International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Likert Scale (WOMAC), Participant global assessment short form 36 (SF-36) and pain assessment using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Subjects will undergo the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test and will complete the 20-meter walk test.

Subjects will be provided with an electronic tablet and instructed to complete daily and record daily symptoms of pain (of the target knee), compliance in relation to taking the study product and record any rescue or other medication taken during the study duration.

Subjects will be randomised to one of three treatment groups as follows:

• Arm 1 -Placebo
• Arm 2 - 200mg raspberry extract
• Arm 3 - 400mg raspberry extract

Subjects will be provided with a box containing 6-weeks supply of study product, along with an additional 4-day supply in case of loss. Subjects will be instructed to take 1 capsule each morning, with their breakfast, for the duration of the study.

Subjects will return for visits at week 6 and week 12. At each visit the vitals, anthropometric measurements, concomitant medication and any adverse events will be recorded Subjects will complete the following questionnaires: International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Likert Scale (WOMAC), Participant global assessment short form 36 (SF-36) and pain assessment using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Subjects will undergo the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test and will complete the 20-meter walk test.

Subjects will return their electronic device and the data will be downloaded and reviewed.

Subjects will return any unused study product and compliance will be assessed and new study product administered. On Visit 3, a blood sample (20mls) will be collected and haematology, biochemistry, glucose and hs-CRP will be measured. Additional serum will be aliquoted and stored and inflammatory biomarkers measured at a later date.

Subjects will be instructed to follow their standard diet and exercise routine and not consume medications that could interfere with the assessment of the study product for the duration of the study. Any symptoms and changes in their health status or medications will be recorded.

Inclusion criteria

To be considered eligible for enrolment into the study, subjects must;

• Be aged 30 to 75 years (inclusive),
• Be willing to provide informed consent,
• Have a BMI between 18.5 and 32 kg/m2,
• Have documented diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the target knee made at least 12 months prior to Screening,
• Have radiographic evidence of OA in the tibio-femoral compartment of the target knee with at least 1 definite osteophyte and a measureable joint space, as diagnosed by standard X-rays taken no longer than 18 months,
• Have mild to moderate pain not adequately or completely controlled with anti-inflammatory drugs,
• Be able to perform the 20-meter walking test and to understand all questions from the WOMAC questionnaire.

Exclusion criteria

Subjects will be excluded from the study if they meet any of the below criteria;

• Females are pregnant, lactating or wish to become pregnant during the study. Female subject is currently either of:

• non-childbearing potential (i.e., physiologically incapable of becoming pregnant, including any female who is post-menopausal or any female who is surgically sterilized (via documented hysterectomy or bilateral tubal ligation). (For purposes of this study, postmenopausal is defined as one year without menses), OR
• child bearing potential, the subject is eligible to enter and participate in this study if she is not lactating and has a negative urine pregnancy test at the screening visit, visit 2 and upon completion of the study at visit 5. The subject must also agree to one of the following methods of contraception: i. Complete abstinence from intercourse two weeks prior to administration of study drug, throughout the clinical trial, until the completion of follow-up procedures or for two weeks following discontinuation of the study medication in cases where subject discontinues the study prematurely. (Subjects utilizing this method must agree to use an alternate method of contraception if they should become sexually active and will be queried on whether they have been abstinent in the preceding 2 weeks when they present to the clinic for the Final Visit.) or, ii. Has a male sexual partner who is surgically sterilized prior to the Screen Visit and is the only male sexual partner for that subject or, iii. Sexual partner(s) is/are exclusively female or, iv. Oral contraceptives (either combined or progestogen only) with double-barrier method of contraception consisting of spermicide with either condom or diaphragm. (Women of child-bearing potential using an oral contraceptive in combination with a double-barrier method of contraception are required to continue to use this form of contraception for 1 week following discontinuation of study medication).

v. Use of double-barrier contraception, specifically, a spermicide plus a mechanical barrier (e.g. male condom, female diaphragm). The subject must be using this method for at least 1 week following the end of the study or, vi. Use of any intrauterine device (IUD) with published data showing that the highest expected failure rate is less than 1% per year. The subject must have the device inserted at least 2 weeks prior to the first Screen Visit, throughout the study, and 2 weeks following the end of the study.

• Patient with secondary OA (due to a known disorder)
• Has modified Kellgren-Lawrence Numerical Grading System of grade IV in the patello-femoral compartment of the target knee confirmed by standard X-rays taken no longer than 12 months prior to Screening, and before any baseline assessment,
• Has clinically apparent tense effusion of the target knee or other joint,
• Has had viscosupplementation in any joint including the target knee or other joint within 9 months prior to Screening,
• Subject is taking any anti-inflammatory steroid medications, salicylates (aspirin) or Propionic acid derivatives (ibuprofen), for 2 weeks prior to study entry,
• Has concomitant inflammatory disease or other condition that affects the joints (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic bone disease, psoriasis, gout, symptomatic chondrocalcinosis and active infection, etc.),
• Symptomatic OA of the contralateral knee that is not responsive to paracetamol and requires other therapy,
• Taking any calcium supplements (4-week washout) or other supplement e.g. glucosamine, chondroitin,
• Any medical condition deemed exclusionary by the Principal Investigator/Study doctor,
• Subject has a history of drug and / or alcohol abuse at the time of enrolment,
• Change of dietary habit within the preceding month,
• Subject with known organic disease, including an inflammatory bowel disease, a benign or malign tumour of intestine or colon and significant systemic disease,
• Subject currently involved in any other clinical trial or having participated in a trial within the preceding 90 days,
• Subject with known allergy to components of the test product,
• Subject has any concurrent medical or psychiatric condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would compromise his/her ability to comply with the study requirements,
• Subject has a history of cancer within the last 5 years, except basal cell carcinoma, non-squamous skin carcinoma, prostate cancer or carcinoma in situ with no significant progression over the past 2 years,
• Subject has a significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, liver, infectious disease, immune disorder, or metabolic/endocrine disorders or other disease that would preclude supplement ingestion and/or assessment of safety and the study objectives,
• Current illnesses which could interfere with the study (e.g. prolonged severe diarrhea, regurgitation/severe, difficulty swallowing).