Improvement in postural imbalance with intake of resveratrol (polyphenolic phytoalexin) in patients of knee osteoarthritis

PURPOSE: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and postural imbalance are interlinked, increasing fall risk in older adults. The effective therapeutic approach remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate how resveratrol, a natural stilbene compound, influences balance disturbances in individuals with knee OA METHOD: In a randomized double blind clinical trial, 129 patients with OA were allocated to receive either placebo (n = 67) or resveratrol at a daily dose of 500 mg (n = 62) for 18 weeks. Assessments included Oxford Knee Score (OKS), WOMAC index, knee flexion range of motion (ROM), gait speed, handgrip strength, balance scores, and plasma concentrations of SIRT1 and C-reactive protein (CRP), recorded at baseline and again after 18 weeks. RESULTS: Resveratrol significantly improved balance, gait speed, knee ROM, HGS, and reduced pain during walking and WOMAC scores (all p < 0.05), without affecting OKS or resting pain. Plasma SIRT1 increased, and CRP decreased in the resveratrol group. SIRT1 levels correlated strongly with balance scores post-treatment (r²=0.322, p < 0.0001), more than in placebo (r²=0.084, p = 0.017) or baseline values. CONCLUSION: Resveratrol alleviated OA symptoms and postural imbalance, potentially through anti-inflammatory effects mediated by elevated plasma SIRT1.