Long-term effects of a diet supplement containing Cannabis sativa oil and Boswellia serrata in dogs with osteoarthritis following physiotherapy treatments: a randomised, placebo-controlled and double-blind clinical trial

Abstract

Dogs are commonly affected by Osteoarthritis (OA). Different approaches can be used to alleviate animals’ symptoms. In this randomised, placebo-controlled and double-blind clinical trial, we performed a three months follow-up study assessing the efficacy of a food supplement containing natural ingredients (Cannabis sativa oil, Boswellia serrata Roxb. Phytosome^® and Zingiber officinale extract) in dogs with OA after the interruption of physiotherapy that was performed during the previous three months. Inflammation and oxidative stress were reduced in the treated group (higher glutathione (GSH) and lower C-reactive protein [CRP] levels in blood) as well as chronic pain.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Dietary supplements
• chronic pain
• oxidative stress
• inflammation
• osteoarthritis
• clinical trial

Acknowledgments

We want to thank Dr. Daniela Pastorino for providing the cases and Giulia Rognoni for proofreading the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

Candioli Pharma Srl supported the study by providing the supplement to the owners, paying the publication charges, and supervising the study to be sure that it was adhering to the planned scientific protocol. One of the authors is an employer of Indena Spa (A.R.). Two of the authors are employers of Candioli Pharma Srl (R.A., VG). One of the authors is a scientific consultant for Candioli Pharma Srl (E.M.).

Institutional review board statement

The study was performed in compliance with the guidelines of the Italian Minister of Health for the care and use of animals (D.L. n 26 2014) and the use of supplements was regulated by the Regulation (EC) No 767/2009. Furthermore, the experimental protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Department of Veterinary Science (DVS) of the University of Turin (Italy, 14 April 2022, prot.n.1233).

Additional information

Funding

This research received no external funding. The APC was funded by Candioli Pharma s.r.l.