Effect of Agar/Collagen-based Compounds on Osteoarticular Pain: Randomized Triple-blind Clinical … (NCT07318896) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Effect of Agar/Collagen-based Compounds on Osteoarticular Pain: Randomized Triple-blind Clinical Trial
Spain80 participantsStarted 2025-11-10
Plain-language summary
Joints-comprising bone, cartilage, ligaments, and synovial fluid-enable stable daily movement but may deteriorate with age, excess body weight, overuse, injury, or disease. Such degeneration, common from age 40 onward, underlies joint disorders like osteoarthritis, particularly in the knees, hips, hands, and spine, and is a major cause of chronic pain and disability. While antiinflammatory analgesics remain the standard approach to symptom control, they neither cure disease nor regenerate cartilage and can produce significant long-term adverse effects (gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular). These limitations motivate interest in natural or complementary strategies with safer profiles.
Within this context, marine algae, especially agar derived from red seaweed, have attracted attention for potential intestinal, metabolic, and joint benefits, aided by their fiber content. Another promising option is undenatured type II collagen (UC-II), the principal structural component of articular cartilage, whose endogenous production declines with age; clinical studies indicate that a daily intake of 40 mg UC-II can improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance quality of life in individuals with osteoarthritis or exercise-related joint discomfort. Based on these considerations, an agar-agar supplement has been developed to relieve knee joint symptoms.
Who can participate
Age range
40 Years – 70 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Men and women between 40 and 70 years of age.
* Submit a score of 6 to 10 out of 20 on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) knee pain questionnaire.
* Sign the informed consent form.
* Know how to read, write, and speak Spanish and/or Catalan.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Present body mass index (BMI) values \<18.5 kg/m\^2 or ≥30 kg/m\^2.
* Present intolerances or allergies related to Agar-Agar, or any of the components of the products being evaluated, such as collagen or maltodextrin.
* Take or have taken medications that may affect the study results. This is especially true for those who have been treated with oral or intra-articular corticosteroids within the 4 and 12 weeks prior to screening, respectively, or medications for osteoarthritis at the time of screening.
* Patients who depend on prescription medications for pain control.
* Take multivitamin or mineral supplements, collagen derivatives, or supplements containing bioactive compounds that may exert an anti-inflammatory effect, such as turmeric, ginger, omega-3, or polyphenol supplements.
(Individuals who consume multivitamin, mineral, or collagen-derived supplements or supplements will be eligible to participate in the study, provided they are willing to discontinue their intake for at least two weeks prior to the start of the study and throughout the entire study period).
* Be an active smoker or have been one for less than 6 months.
* Alcohol consumption:…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in perception of knee joint pain.
Timeframe: Before (baseline), during (6 weeks) and after treatment period (12 weeks).