Application of avocado/soybean unsaponifiable mixtures (piascledine) in treatment of patients with osteoarthritis.

Mixture of nonsaponifiable components of avocado and soybean oils known as piascledine is a drug applied is patients with osteoarthritis. The drug combine properties of structure modifying drug with symptom modifying drug. Piascledine was shown to enhance collagen and proteoglycan synthesis and to decrease synthesis of fibronectin by cultured in vitro chondrocytes. Moreover, the drug inhibits release and activity of metalloproteinases and proinflammatory cytokines, a key factors involved in development of osteoarthritis. Well controlled clinical trials evidenced that piascledine improves functional indices and results a decrease in pain as well as in diminished analgesic drug demand in patients with osteoarthritis. Administration of the drug within two years resulted in delayed destruction of the joints as shown in radiological evaluation. Application of piascledine is very well tolerated medication.