Abstract

Abstract Introduction Chickpea oil (Cicer arietinum L.) is considered to have anti-inflammatory properties and is of therapeutic importance. It has been used topically in Persian medicine and compared other treatments it is easily available and low cost. In clinical practice patients applying chickpea oil have expressed their satisfaction. Given the lack of valid scientific studies, this randomised controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of topical chickpea oil on knees affected by osteoarthritis. Methods Patients (n = 75) referred to the rheumatology clinic with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee were randomly assigned into three groups; chickpea oil, piroxicam gel or paraffin and were treated for three months. Patients self-medicated massaging the oil ino the affected knee twice a day for three months. Physical activity, stiffness and pain wear measured at baseline and at the end of 3th month. The groups were compared at the end of treatment. Results WOMAC scores showed significant reduction in pain, stiffness, and difficuly in activity in the chickpea oil group compared wih the piroxicam or paraffin group(p < 0.05). VAS mean pain scores were 5.42 for the placebo group, compared wih 3.92 for the piroxicam group and 3.88 the chickpea oil group, which was significantly different (P < 0.001). No adverse effects were reported by patients. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrated that chickpea oil could be effective in relieving pain, reducing motion stiffness, and increasing activity in osteoarthritis patients.