Written by Tabish Mehraj, PhD, Science Writer. E-PR-01 significantly improved musculoskeletal health, joint mobility, and physical function in a dose-dependent manner over 90 days, with the high-dose group achieving clinically significant benefits. Participants also experienced notable reductions in joint and low-back pain and improvements in quality of life. The supplement was safe and well-tolerated, with no serious adverse effects reported.

The muscular system is a complex network of different tissues of various cellular components. With everyday challenges, movement, and the aging process, various complications can occur, affecting overall health. There are several factors for developing certain knee and back-related issues, such as lifestyle, obesity, and high physical stress at work. Muvz™ (E-PR-01) is a blend of V. negundo (Vitex or Chinese Chaste Tree) which contains compounds like flavonoids, and phenolic acids that help in reducing pain associated with joint disorders and Z. officinale (ginger) which blocks the production of inflammatory chemicals such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins that has been shown to reduce pain and improve mobility. This study presented by Douglas Kalman and his team examined the efficacy and safety of Muvz™ (E-PR-01) for the development and overall improvement of the musculoskeletal health within the adults who were physically active with back and knee issues. This study was randomized, placebo-controlled, and conducted at 6 orthopedic clinics across Maharashtra, India, from April 2023 to January 2024.

The study enrolled 157 adults aged 40–60 years with moderate knee or low back discomfort that increased with physical activity. Participants were divided into three groups: a high-dose (HD) group receiving 400 mg/day of E-PR-01, a low-dose (LD) group taking 200 mg/day, and a placebo group. The intervention period lasted for 90 days. The main endpoint was improvement in the musculoskeletal system, which was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ). At the same time, the other outcomes were severity in pain, range of motion (ROM), quality of life, and the use of rescue medication.

Results/Key Findings

• E-PR-01 significantly improved musculoskeletal health compared with placebo, with benefits increasing in a dose-dependent manner over 90 days.

• The high-dose group showed the greatest improvement in MSK-HQ scores, exceeding the clinically meaningful improvement threshold.

• Significant pain reduction was observed, particularly in the high-dose group, with most participants achieving meaningful relief from joint and low-back pain.

• Joint mobility and physical function improved, especially in active and passive flexion.

• Quality of life measures, including mobility, daily activities, pain/discomfort, and overall health perception, improved significantly with E-PR-01.

• E-PR-01 was safe and well-tolerated, with no serious treatment-related adverse effects reported during the study.

The study possesses several notable strengths. First, its randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design enhances internal validity and minimizes bias. Secondly, the multicenter approach enhances the generalizability of the findings within the studied population. Also, the study compared two dosages, allowing the researchers to validate a clear dose-dependent relationship. Employment of tools such as Pain Numeric Rating Scale (P-NRS), EuroQol 5-Dimensions 5-Level Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), Range of Motion (ROM) and Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) measurements validates the reliability of the results. Inclusion of clinically meaningful results is a great strength of the study.

There are several noteworthy limitations to the study. The sample population was limited to adults aged 40–60 years with moderate knee or low-back discomfort, limiting applicability to a broader population with severe musculoskeletal issues. The study did not provide long-term safety and efficacy data. Geographic inclusivity was limited as well. Significant reliance on self-reported questionnaires for pain and quality of life could have introduced bias.

Overall, the study concludes that E-PR-01 is a promising, safe, and effective herbal supplement for improving musculoskeletal health, reducing pain, enhancing mobility, and improving quality of life in physically active adults with knee or low-back discomfort. The higher 400 mg dose consistently demonstrated greater benefits, supporting a dose-dependent therapeutic effect. The findings are consistent with the reports presented earlier.

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Posted May 18, 2026.

Dr. Tabish Mehraj is a pharmaceutical scientist with expertise in pharmaceutics, drug delivery, and formulation development. She earned her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mississippi, where her research focused on the formulation, optimization, and characterization of lipid-based nanocarriers for targeted liver delivery of antimalarial therapeutics. Dr. Mehraj has also served as an ORISE Fellow at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where she evaluated the effects of formulation and process design on the quality and performance of intravaginal drug delivery systems and developed bio-relevant in vitro drug release testing methods. She has teaching experience in pharmaceutical and life sciences courses and has authored peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference presentations. Dr. Mehraj is an active member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and has been recognized by honor societies including Rho Chi and Gamma Beta Phi.

References:

1. Kalman, D., Srivastava, S., Desale, A., Chatte, M. D., Nalavade, R. J., Shah, K. M., … & Bhasale, S. (2025). A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Dose-Response Trial of Muvz™ for Knee and Low-Back Support in Physically Active Adults. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 811-825.