Last update
5/8/2025
Research Authors

Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 13 Researches
7.3
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 8 Reviews
8.2
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 2 Tablets
Amount Per Serving
%DV
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
3 g (3,000 mg)
*

Top Medical Research Studies

7
MSM improves knee osteoarthritis symptoms
We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial exploring the effects of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) on knee osteoarthritis pain. Fifty adults aged 40 to 76 participated, taking either MSM or a placebo for 12 weeks.

While MSM did show improvements in pain and physical function, there was no significant effect on stiffness or overall symptom scores. This means that while MSM might help with certain aspects of osteoarthritis, the overall benefits and long-term safety need more research.
Read More
We explored the effectiveness of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in treating knee osteoarthritis in a carefully designed clinical trial. Forty-nine participants received either MSM or a placebo for 12 weeks, and we measured their pain and physical function using various established scales.

Although patients taking MSM reported some improvement in pain and function, these changes were minor. It's still unclear if these results have real clinical significance for those suffering from osteoarthritis.
Read More
8
MSM improves mild knee pain
In a well-structured randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we explored how methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) affects those experiencing mild knee pain. The study involved 88 healthy Japanese participants, split evenly into two groups where one received 200 mg of MSM while the other received a placebo for 12 weeks.

By measuring the total score on the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM) at the end of the trial, we found that the MSM group showed a significant improvement compared to the placebo group. Specifically, total JKOM scores changed markedly, with an improvement in knee and systemic health reported by participants who took MSM.

Our findings suggest that MSM might be beneficial for individuals with mild knee pain, marking it as a useful supplement for enhancing joint health. The positive outcomes underscore the potential of MSM as a supportive treatment option for managing mild arthritic conditions.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

9
Fingers straightened
4 people found this helpful
My fingers have straightened since I began taking MSM. Rheumatoid arthritis has considerable inhibiting power.
Read More
7.5
Difficult to swallow
3 people found this helpful
These tablets are enormous and rather hard to swallow. I must caution people in Japan (or perhaps Asia) that these tablets are considerably larger than most supplements. I purchased this product for my 68-year-old mother, who has suffered from rheumatism and arthritis for many years. She halves the tablets to make them easier to take. The price is reasonable!
Read More
9
Significant pain relief
1 people found this helpful
This has helped me immensely. I have arthritis in my hands, and this product provides remarkable relief from both pain and stiffness. I've just finished my first bottle and have ordered a second one. Thank you.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 13 Researches
7.3
  • All Researches
We investigated how methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and a herbal extract called mobilee influence arthritis in human chondrocytes, the cells found in cartilage. By exposing these cells to interleukin (IL)-1β—a protein that can cause joint inflammation—we aimed to understand if these treatments could mitigate the damage commonly associated with osteoarthritis (OA).

We took chondrocytes from the femoral heads of patients undergoing hip replacement surgery and treated them with varying amounts of MSM and mobilee in the presence of IL-1β. Our tests measured cell survival and apoptosis—basically whether the cells lived or died—and assessed the levels of key proteins linked to cartilage breakdown and health.

Our results were encouraging. Both MSM and mobilee appeared to significantly reverse the negative effects brought on by IL-1β. Additionally, they managed to combat the activation of NF-κB, a pathway often implicated in inflammation and cell death. By reducing the levels of harmful enzymes and increasing beneficial proteins, these treatments seem to offer a potential new approach to improving joint health in arthritis patients.

In conclusion, this study suggests that MSM and mobilee could play a beneficial role in protecting cartilage cells from the inflammatory damage caused by IL-1β, providing a strong rationale for their consideration in arthritis treatment.
Read More
9
MSM improves knee OA treatment
We conducted a thoughtful investigation into how Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) impacts the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) when paired with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. In our study, 147 patients diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence grade I-II knee OA were randomly divided into three groups. One group received a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, the second group received the same combination with MSM, and the third group was given a placebo.

The patients took their assigned capsules daily for three months, and we measured their pain and mobility before treatment and then at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after starting the regimen. The results revealed that the combination of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and MSM offered noticeable clinical benefits for patients with knee OA. However, those taking only glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate experienced no significant improvement compared to the placebo group.

Our findings highlight the potential advantage of supplementing glucosamine and chondroitin with MSM for managing knee osteoarthritis. Nonetheless, the lack of improvement with glucosamine and chondroitin alone calls into question their effectiveness independently of MSM.
Read More
9
ARTRA MSM improves knee OA treatment
We aimed to explore how the combined medication ARTRA MSM FORTE could help patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study involved 100 individuals who were experiencing noticeable pain while walking.

We divided participants into two groups: one group took ARTRA MSM, while the other received a similar combination without the MSM. Over the course of four months, we conducted monthly evaluations to track improvements in pain levels, mobility, and overall quality of life.

Notably, we observed that those taking ARTRA MSM experienced quicker reductions in pain and improvements in functional tests compared to the other group. In fact, 72% of patients taking ARTRA MSM reported feeling relief from pain more rapidly than those on the standard treatment. Based on these findings, we can comfortably recommend ARTRA MSM for managing knee OA in clinical settings.
Read More
8
MSM improves mild knee pain
In a well-structured randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we explored how methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) affects those experiencing mild knee pain. The study involved 88 healthy Japanese participants, split evenly into two groups where one received 200 mg of MSM while the other received a placebo for 12 weeks.

By measuring the total score on the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM) at the end of the trial, we found that the MSM group showed a significant improvement compared to the placebo group. Specifically, total JKOM scores changed markedly, with an improvement in knee and systemic health reported by participants who took MSM.

Our findings suggest that MSM might be beneficial for individuals with mild knee pain, marking it as a useful supplement for enhancing joint health. The positive outcomes underscore the potential of MSM as a supportive treatment option for managing mild arthritic conditions.
Read More
We explored the therapeutic potential of Modified Simiaowan (MSM), a six-herb formula, specifically for its effects on gouty arthritis (GA). To understand how MSM influences the condition, we conducted a thorough investigation using mouse macrophages that were exposed to inflammatory stimuli and then treated with MSM.

Our findings showed that MSM effectively reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, which are key contributors to gouty arthritis. We measured the expression of inflammatory markers and the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway to see how MSM interacts at a biological level. This included utilizing techniques like western blotting and ELISA to gather essential data.

Furthermore, we validated MSM’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in rat models of GA. The treatments pointed to MSM alleviating symptoms through the Nrf2/HO-1/ROS/NLRP3 signaling pathway, indicating a promising mechanism of action. Overall, our results highlight MSM’s significant potential as a natural solution for managing gouty arthritis symptoms successfully.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 8 Reviews
8.2
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Fingers straightened
4 people found this helpful
My fingers have straightened since I began taking MSM. Rheumatoid arthritis has considerable inhibiting power.
Read More
7.5
Difficult to swallow
3 people found this helpful
These tablets are enormous and rather hard to swallow. I must caution people in Japan (or perhaps Asia) that these tablets are considerably larger than most supplements. I purchased this product for my 68-year-old mother, who has suffered from rheumatism and arthritis for many years. She halves the tablets to make them easier to take. The price is reasonable!
Read More
9
Significant pain relief
1 people found this helpful
This has helped me immensely. I have arthritis in my hands, and this product provides remarkable relief from both pain and stiffness. I've just finished my first bottle and have ordered a second one. Thank you.
Read More
9
Product helps arthritis
2 people found this helpful
I believe this is the only product I've tried that genuinely aids my arthritis. I plan to purchase another bottle soon.
Read More
7.5
Effective pain relief
2 people found this helpful
I've been using MSM for a couple of years and find it very beneficial. It helps alleviate pain from arthritis, especially in my hips. I'm pleased to have found it online at a significantly lower price than in shops.
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

9
Fingers straightened
4 people found this helpful
My fingers have straightened since I began taking MSM. Rheumatoid arthritis has considerable inhibiting power.
7.5
Helps knuckles
I have arthritis, and I feel this is benefiting my knuckles on my hand.
7.5
Great for inflammation
1 people found this helpful
I regularly take MSM to manage inflammation and support my skin and hair; it also aids in detoxification, which is beneficial.
7.5
Difficult to swallow
3 people found this helpful
These tablets are enormous and rather hard to swallow. I must caution people in Japan (or perhaps Asia) that these tablets are considerably larger than most supplements. I purchased this product for my 68-year-old mother, who has suffered from rheumatism and arthritis for many years. She halves the tablets to make them easier to take. The price is reasonable!
8
MSM improves mild knee pain
In a well-structured randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we explored how methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) affects those experiencing mild knee pain. The study involved 88 healthy Japanese participants, split evenly into two groups where one received 200 mg of MSM while the other received a placebo for 12 weeks.

By measuring the total score on the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM) at the end of the trial, we found that the MSM group showed a significant improvement compared to the placebo group. Specifically, total JKOM scores changed markedly, with an improvement in knee and systemic health reported by participants who took MSM.

Our findings suggest that MSM might be beneficial for individuals with mild knee pain, marking it as a useful supplement for enhancing joint health. The positive outcomes underscore the potential of MSM as a supportive treatment option for managing mild arthritic conditions.
9
MSM improves knee OA treatment
We conducted a thoughtful investigation into how Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) impacts the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) when paired with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. In our study, 147 patients diagnosed with Kellgren-Lawrence grade I-II knee OA were randomly divided into three groups. One group received a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, the second group received the same combination with MSM, and the third group was given a placebo.

The patients took their assigned capsules daily for three months, and we measured their pain and mobility before treatment and then at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after starting the regimen. The results revealed that the combination of glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and MSM offered noticeable clinical benefits for patients with knee OA. However, those taking only glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate experienced no significant improvement compared to the placebo group.

Our findings highlight the potential advantage of supplementing glucosamine and chondroitin with MSM for managing knee osteoarthritis. Nonetheless, the lack of improvement with glucosamine and chondroitin alone calls into question their effectiveness independently of MSM.
We investigated how methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and a herbal extract called mobilee influence arthritis in human chondrocytes, the cells found in cartilage. By exposing these cells to interleukin (IL)-1β—a protein that can cause joint inflammation—we aimed to understand if these treatments could mitigate the damage commonly associated with osteoarthritis (OA).

We took chondrocytes from the femoral heads of patients undergoing hip replacement surgery and treated them with varying amounts of MSM and mobilee in the presence of IL-1β. Our tests measured cell survival and apoptosis—basically whether the cells lived or died—and assessed the levels of key proteins linked to cartilage breakdown and health.

Our results were encouraging. Both MSM and mobilee appeared to significantly reverse the negative effects brought on by IL-1β. Additionally, they managed to combat the activation of NF-κB, a pathway often implicated in inflammation and cell death. By reducing the levels of harmful enzymes and increasing beneficial proteins, these treatments seem to offer a potential new approach to improving joint health in arthritis patients.

In conclusion, this study suggests that MSM and mobilee could play a beneficial role in protecting cartilage cells from the inflammatory damage caused by IL-1β, providing a strong rationale for their consideration in arthritis treatment.
7
MSM shows potential, needs more research
We explored the potential of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

While our findings show that MSM seems to offer some benefits over placebo for those with mild to moderate OA in the knee, the evidence isn’t conclusive yet.

The studies evaluated had varying quality, especially with DMSO research, which requires us to approach the results with caution.

More thorough research is essential to establish the right dosages and confirm the long-term safety and effectiveness of MSM and DMSO.

References

  1. Akpınar K, Şimşek EK, Özen ÖI, Haberal B. The effect of MSM in the treatment of ankle arthrosis: Is MSM as effective as methylprednisolone or hyaluronic acid?. J Orthop Res. 2024;42:1527. 10.1002/jor.25795
  2. Toguchi A, Noguchi N, Kanno T, Yamada A. Methylsulfonylmethane Improves Knee Quality of Life in Participants with Mild Knee Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2023;15. 10.3390/nu15132995
  3. Qin DE, Liang W, Yu Y, Whelan EC, Yuan X, et al. Modified Simiaowan prevents and treats gouty arthritis via the Nrf2/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. J Ethnopharmacol. 2024;318:116906. 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116906
  4. Cheleschi S, Fioravanti A, De Palma A, Corallo C, Franci D, et al. Methylsulfonylmethane and mobilee prevent negative effect of IL-1β in human chondrocyte cultures via NF-κB signaling pathway. Int Immunopharmacol. 2018;65:129. 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.10.004
  5. Lubis AMT, Siagian C, Wonggokusuma E, Marsetyo AF, Setyohadi B. Comparison of Glucosamine-Chondroitin Sulfate with and without Methylsulfonylmethane in Grade I-II Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Acta Med Indones. 2017;49:105.
  6. Notarnicola A, Maccagnano G, Moretti L, Pesce V, Tafuri S, et al. Methylsulfonylmethane and boswellic acids versus glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee arthritis: Randomized trial. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2016;29:140. 10.1177/0394632015622215
  7. Panuccio E, Memeo A, Richetta S. [Evaluation of the combined treatment of oral viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid intra-articular injection on symptomatic knee osteoarthritis]. Clin Ter. 2015;166:e321. 10.7417/T.2015.1886
  8. Alekseeva LI, Sharapova EP, Kashevarova NG, Taskina EA, Anikin SG, et al. [Use of ARTRA MSM FORTE in patients with knee osteoarthritis: Results of a randomized open-label comparative study of the efficacy and tolerability of the drug]. Ter Arkh. 2015;87:49. 10.17116/terarkh2015871249-54
  9. Ezaki J, Hashimoto M, Hosokawa Y, Ishimi Y. Assessment of safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane on bone and knee joints in osteoarthritis animal model. J Bone Miner Metab. 2013;31:16. 10.1007/s00774-012-0378-9
  10. Notarnicola A, Tafuri S, Fusaro L, Moretti L, Pesce V, et al. The "MESACA" study: methylsulfonylmethane and boswellic acids in the treatment of gonarthrosis. Adv Ther. 2011;28:894. 10.1007/s12325-011-0068-3
  11. Debbi EM, Agar G, Fichman G, Ziv YB, Kardosh R, et al. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011;11:50. 10.1186/1472-6882-11-50
  12. Brien S, Prescott P, Bashir N, Lewith H, Lewith G. Systematic review of the nutritional supplements dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008;16:1277. 10.1016/j.joca.2008.03.002
  13. Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, Buratovich N, Waters RF. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006;14:286.
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