International journal of food sciences and nutritionSep 24, 2025

Resveratrol raises protective protein levels and reduces frailty in knee osteoarthritis patients in a controlled trial

Longevity & Aging Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Jun 28, 2026

Abstract

Essence

In older adults with knee osteoarthritis, 16 weeks of resveratrol was linked to less frailty and better symptoms, along with higher plasma SIRT1 levels.

Evidence

Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial in 123 patients aged 63-75 years found 500 mg/day resveratrol improved frailty, walking pain, WOMAC, Oxford knee score, and handgrip strength, but not knee flexion range of motion or gait speed, and raised plasma SIRT1.

Caveat

The trial was short at 16 weeks, several outcomes remained unchanged, and the SIRT1 association does not show that SIRT1 caused the clinical improvements.

Simplified

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and frailty share pathophysiological processes and are leading causes of disability in the geriatric population; however, effective interventions remain elusive. To investigate the effects of resveratrol, on knee OA and frailty, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial was conducted over 16 weeks in patients with knee OA. 123 patients aged 63-75 years were randomised into placebo ( = 64) and resveratrol (500 mg/d; = 59) groups. Outcome variables assessed at baseline and 16 weeks included OA evaluation using the Oxford knee score (OKS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index, knee flexion range-of-motion (ROM), and gait speed; frailty using Fried's scale; handgrip strength (HGS); and plasma SIRT1. Resveratrol reduced frailty, pain during walking, and WOMAC scores, and improved OKS and HGS (all < 0.05), without affecting ROM or gait speed. Patients receiving resveratrol had higher SIRT1 levels associated with frailty scores. Increased SIRT1 is linked to improved OA symptoms and reduced severity. n n p