The six-month observational study of 91 adults with moderate joint health problems, conducted by scientists at iminosugar research firm PhytoQuest Limited, concluded that just 20 mg per day of the supplement significantly improved a range of joint health outcomes.
The research, published in Current Rheumatology Reviews, It also points out that the results were dose-dependent, so a higher Q-Actin concentration of 100 mg reduced OA-related parameters to a greater extent.
Therefore, the authors suggest that a personalized supplement approach may be required with a specific dose for optimal activity for a given age.
Discussing the mechanism of action, the authors assume that this is due to the anti-inflammatory activity of idoBR1 – the iminosugar amino acid isolated from cucumber.
Q-actin and iminosugars
Q-actin, marketed by iminosugars developer IminoTech Inc, is a cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) extract containing the iminosugar ido-BR1 standardized to > 1%.
Iminosugars are analogues of sugars in which oxygenreplaced by one nitrogenatom. This replacement prevents normal metabolism resulting in the inhibition of glycosidasesAND glycosyltransferases.
These compounds attract interest as therapeutic agents due to their ability to interact with human glycosidases, other proteins and sugar receptors.
InimoTech says Q-actin works by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a chemical messenger immune cells release to help orchestrate immune system responses to potential threats or damaged tissue.
or previously published randomized, double-blind clinical trialIncluding 122 adults, reported that 20 mg of Q-actin per day significantly improved joint health compared to 2700 mg of glucosamine-chondroitin over a six-month period. Subjects were assessed at 30-day intervals using the WOMAC, VAS, and LFI. Q-actin reduced WOMAC scores by 70% over six months.
Previous studiesshowed reduced Q-actin/ido-BR1 of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in both ex vivohuman serum and THP-1 cells. TNFα can induce degenerative changes such as in joints when chronically elevated. Research shows that idoBR1 functions in a dose-dependent manner to reduce inflammatory markers, including LPS-induced production of TNFα, IL-6, nitric oxide, and the transcription factor NF-KB.
Study design and results,
The latter study enrolled 101 subjects with moderate osteoarthritis, 91 of whom were evaluable. Subjects were divided into three groups receiving a placebo or 20 mg or 100 mg of Q-actin daily for six months. After a baseline assessment, subjects were assessed at 30-day intervals using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the Lequesne Functional Index (LFI).
Both Q-actin groups experienced significant reductions in pain and improvements in other parameters of joint function at each study time point by each assessment method. For example, subjects taking 20 mg per day of Q-actin experienced a 32% improvement in WOMAC scores over six months, compared to a 5% improvement for the placebo group. The health benefits of Q-actin were dose dependent. The WOMAC score of the 100-milligram group increased 39% over the duration of the study.
Shil Kothari, Chief Executive Officer of IminoTech states: “It is remarkable that a daily serving of just 20 mg of Q-actin produced significant improvements in joint function, including the ability to complete daily activities such as using the stairs, shopping and work at home.
“A daily serving size of Q-actin is a small portion of the main ingredients in joint health dietary supplements. It opens the door to many new formats and applications of shared health products.”
Source: Current Rheumatology Reviews,,
DOI: 10.2174/1573397119666230206105703
Standardized ido-BR1 Cucumber Extract Improved Parameters Associated with Moderate Osteoarthritis in a Placebo-Controlled Study.
Nash. RJ, et al
