Oral proteolytic enzymes like serratiopeptidase are very commonly used by clinicians either alone or in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for analgesia and anti-inflammatory purpose. As the activity of these drugs is not proved in trials, and they are not listed in any country's official pharmacopoeia, it was planned to study their effect in osteoarthritis patients. Two groups (n= 30 each) of diagnosed knee osteoarthritis patients, were treated with diclofenac 50 mg twice a day (BID) and serratiopeptidase 10mg three times a day (TID) + Diclofenac 50 mg BID for two weeks. The pain and difficulty in daily activities were assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and Mc Masters Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC OA) index scale before and after the treatment.  Highly significant improvement in both scales was seen in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the improvements found in both groups.  Addition of serratiopeptidase has not potentiated analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of diclofenac. Thus, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory efficacy of serratiopeptidase are not proved.

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