Fennel appears to be a suitable alternative for complementary treatment in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

A randomized, double-blind study was performed to investigate the effect of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) seed extract capsule on knee pain in female patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

The trial recruited 66 female knee osteoarthritis patients. Participants were randomized via the blocking method into either fennel or placebo group.  They were daily administered 4 capsules of either powdered fennel extract or placebo twice daily for about 2 weeks.

Using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire, estimation of pain was done prior to and after the trial. Utilizing the SPSS statistical software, the data were evaluated via the intention to treat method.

After two weeks, a substantial decline was witnessed between the two interventions in terms of disability, pain, VAS, and total WOMAC score. After comparing the pre and post-intervention, a remarkable reduction was noted in all the variables in both the groups.

The stiffness variable showed a considerable decline in the fennel cohort (between baseline and trial completion) after 2 weeks. However, this reduction was not vital in the placebo and was not vital either between the two interventions.

At the end of the clinical study, the percentage of alteration was found to be greater in the fennel arm in comparison with the placebo arm. Furthermore, the effect size was raised in the fennel arm (specifically in the pain variable) based on VAS and WOMAC compared to the placebo.

In patients having knee osteoarthritis, fennel represents a suitable alternative for complementary treatment. However, further robust trials are needed to validate the outcomes.