Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42356230›Full record

Trial reportNutrients2026

Evaluation of the Effect of

Shu Ru Zhuang, Pui-Ying Leong, Hsin-Pei Chiang, You-Cheng Shen

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in Nutrients, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Shu Ru ZhuangDepartment of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
Pui-Ying LeongInstitute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
Hsin-Pei ChiangDepartment of Health Industry Technology Management, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
You-Cheng ShenDepartment of Health Industry Technology Management, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.ORCID 0000-0002-3098-4712

Funding

Chung Shan Medical University CSMU 113-02
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of

methodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in healthy subjects aged 20-70 years with knee discomfort but without clinically diagnosed knee osteoarthritis. Participants were assigned to receive one capsule of AMS or a placebo once daily for 12 weeks. The pre-specified primary endpoints were the SLSD step count and knee ROM; KOOS total score was a key secondary endpoint; serum biomarkers were exploratory. The results included functional performance assessed by the Single Leg Step Down (SLSD) test, knee range of motion (ROM), and self-reported outcomes using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Knee ROM was measured with a goniometer and recorded as both active ROM and passive ROM for knee flexion and extension. Serum biomarkers of inflammation (IL-8, IL-1β, MIP-1α), cartilage degradation (CTX-II, COMP, MMP-13, COL2A1), and cartilage synthesis (PIINP) were evaluated at baseline and Week 12.

resultsWithin the AMS group, SLSD step count increased significantly by 16.83% (Δ = +12.78 steps;

conclusions12 weeks of AMS supplementation was associated with improvements in selected functional, mobility, and outcomes in generally healthy adults with self-reported knee discomfort. AMS was also associated with changes in selected circulating biomarkers related to inflammation and cartilage metabolism. These findings should be interpreted as a preliminary, safe, complementary strategy to support joint health in healthy subjects with knee discomfort.

Indexed as

Astragalus propinquusCartilage, ArticularKnee JointSaponinsAdultAgedBiomarkersDietary SupplementsDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHealthy VolunteersHumansMaleMiddle AgedRange of Motion, ArticularYoung AdultBiomarkersSaponinsAstragalus membranaceus saponinsbiomarkersjoint functionknee discomfortKOOSrandomized controlled trialrange of motion

Identifiers

PMID42356230
PMCPMC13304541

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.