Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) therapy uses non-steroids Anti-Inflammation Drugs (NSAID's), aspirin, and various analgesics. However, these may have side effects on the liver, kidney, gastrointestinal and interfere with the metabolism of cartilage. The previous study in animal showed induction of extract galactomannan of sugar palm fruit in Wistar rats reduced edema volume in pain arthritis compared to the control group. The carbohydrate content of sugar palm fruit mostly galactomannan (52.9%) is a polysaccharide compound which has the function of analgesic and anti-inflammatory for pain.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate sugar palm fruit as an alternative anti-inflammation to reduce pain intensity in osteoarthritis of the knee.

Methods: The study was carried out with the experimental method randomized pre test-post test control group design on 20 volunteers. There were three treatment groups and one control group. The control group, without administration of sugar palm fruit and three treatment groups with of sugar palm fruit; 1 x 50 gram in the morning; 2 x 50 grams in the morning and afternoon; and 3 x 50 grams in the morning, afternoon and evening; per days for seven days. Knee pain intensities were scored using a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Each group consist of Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grade 0-4 of radiographic knee joint AP weight-bearing right and left. Data were analyzed using Paired T-Test and One Way ANOVA Test.

Results: Based on WOMAC score in pain, stiffness, and physical function respectively and overall showed that the intensity of knee pain per grading KL 0-4 against dose variation administration of sugar palm fruit there are significant differences between the control group with the treatment groups (p = 0.001). However, no significant differences among dose variation administration of sugar palm fruit for 1x, 2x and 3x per day (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:  Since there is no difference in dose variation, it is concluded that the most effective dose-feeding preparation is at 1x collusion for the effective one is taken from the dose with the smallest frequency of administration.

Keywords: OA Knee, WOMAC, KL Grade, Galactomannan.