Effects of Terpenes on the Osteoarthritis Cytokine Profile by Modulation of IL-6: Double Face versus Dark Knight?

Terpenes are emerging as a new complementary therapy for several chronic diseases, but their effects on inflammatory cytokines are not fully clear. The aim of this study was to deepen the understanding of how a hemp seed oil and terpene-based dietary supplement modifies blood cytokine levels in a population of patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis, in comparison with a similar one containing hemp seed oil only. A total of 38 patients were selected using specific criteria and subsequently divided into two subgroups of 19 patients each that underwent a 45-day treatment with these two different dietary supplements. Blood samples were taken immediately before and after this therapy. The group which received hemp seed oil and terpenes had a significant rise in their IL-6 levels and a significant decrease in their IL-1β levels. These blood changes could be the biochemical basis on which to build an anti-inflammatory action at the joint level, consequently opening up new scenarios to follow in the integrative therapies of osteoarthritis.