Balneotherapy (Mud-Bath Therapy) with a Peloid Enriched with Rosmarinic Acid Enhances Clinical Outcomes and Innate Immune Benefits in Elderly Patients with Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study
cohort Grade B 2024 Open access
Authors: Ortega-Collazos, Eduardo, Hinchado, María Dolores, Otero, Eduardo, López-Jurado, Casimiro Fermín, Gálvez, Isabel, Legido, José Luis, Muñoz-Torrero, Juan Francisco Sánchez, Ortega, Eduardo, Torres-Piles, Silvia
Journal: Applied Sciences 14 (24) : 12017
DOI: 10.3390/app142412017
Key Findings
- Pilot study: 23 elderly OA patients, 10-day mud-bath with rosmarinic acid-enriched peloid at 40°C
- Significant increases in cortisol levels with decreased IL-8 — immuno-neuroendocrine stabilization
- Enhanced phagocytic and microbicidal activity of neutrophils post-intervention
- Improved knee mobility and reduced pain
- Rosmarinic acid (polyphenolic acid) enhances anti-inflammatory properties of peloid
Pilot study evaluating a novel peloid enriched with rosmarinic acid (a polyphenolic compound with anti-inflammatory properties) for elderly OA patients. Demonstrates immuno-neuroendocrine stabilization through cortisol regulation and IL-8 reduction. Shows enhanced innate immune function (neutrophil phagocytic/microbicidal activity). Not peat-specific but demonstrates the paradigm of enhancing peloid therapy with bioactive compounds — relevant to understanding how peat’s natural polyphenolics may work similarly.
peloidrosmarinic-acidosteoarthritisimmunomodulatorycortisolinnate-immunityneutrophilspilot-study