Cucumber extract Q-actin supports joint function and mobility, new study shows

According to a new clinical study, IminoTech’s Q-actin, a cucumber extract standardized to over 1% idoBR1, provides support for joint function and pain reduction in adults with mild to moderate joint pain.¹ Results were seen starting at 30 days of supplementation. The study, “Effectiveness of Cucumis sativus L. Supplementation on Mild to Moderate Joint Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study,” was published in Cureus in September 2025. It notes that joint pain is experienced by one third of adults in US, with the number increasing in older adults.

Study design: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

For this study, 80 healthy adults, with an average age of 50, received either 20 mg per day of the Q-actin supplement in capsules, or a placebo, for 60 days with measurements for pain taken at days 15, 30, and 60. The participants had self-reported pain lasting longer than three months in the knees, hips, ankles, shoulders, or hands. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Lequesne Functional Index, Pain Disability Index, and Brief Pain Inventory were used to measure pain at baseline and throughout the study.

Key findings: reduced pain and improved function in 60 days

Greater improvements were seen in the test group compared with placebo. Highlighted data includes:

• Significant improvements from baseline in the WOMAC were seen in the supplement group to day 30 and day 60
• Percent change in the supplement group from baseline to day 60 was 31.79%, 10.07%, and 32.39% for the WOMAC, Lequesne Functional Index, and Pain Disability Index respectively
• In comparison, the placebo group showed declines of 14.30%, 9.56%, and 14.96%, respectively, for the same measures
• Greater improvements in the Brief Pain Inventory scale were also seen in the supplement group compared with placebo

No adverse events were reported, and the supplement was stated to be well-tolerated. The results point to Q-actin as a potential herbal intervention for joint pain, the researchers concluded. It can also act as an alternative to synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs available currently.

“These results not only confirm Q-actin’s benefits, they extend them beyond previous osteoarthritis studies to adults with mild to moderate joint pain,” said Shil Kothari, chief executive officer of IminoTech in an October 8 press release.² “Consistent outcomes with a tiny 20 mg daily dose show Q-actin delivers reliable, everyday joint health benefits that consumers can feel.”

As the press release explains, the extract functions through a reduction of inflammation due to TNF- α and also inhibits enzyme activity that degrades cartilage. Q-actin can be formulated in capsules, gummies, or stick packs.

Overall, the researchers recommended future studies on diverse populations and various settings to further confirm the results.

Previous research on Cucumis sativus L. extract for joint pain

As the 2025 study explains, the Cucumis sativus L. extract has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, and anti-diabetic properties.

A 2023 study, “Standardised ido-BR1 Cucumber Extract Improved Parameters Linked to Moderate Osteoarthritis in a Placebo-controlled Study,” had also demonstrated Q-actin's support for managing osteoarthritis pain in older adults.³ Two doses (20 mg and 100 mg) and placebo were tested among 91 participants for 180 days. Result indicated a significant, dose-dependent effect on various pain parameters

Industry impact: Q-actin in Tylenol’s Proactive Support line of joint health supplements

Last month, Tylenol launched its line of drug-free joint health supplements, with ingredients including Q-actin.⁴ “Tylenol’s launch of Proactive Support Muscle & Joint Relief underscores the shift in joint health from reactive pain relief to proactive, daily support,” Kothari had stated. “Consumers want to stay mobile, not just manage pain. They’re seeking solutions that improve comfort, flexibility, and mobility before problems limit their activities and lifestyle. This reflects a broader move toward prevention, natural and drug-free options, and clinically supported ingredients.”

References

1. Hausenblas, H.; Hooper, D.; Hooper, S Effectiveness of Cucumis sativus L. Supplementation on Mild to Moderate Joint Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Cureus. 2025. 17(9): e93507. DOI:10.7759/cureus.93507
2. IminoTech. New Randomized Controlled Trial Confirms Low-Dose Q-actin™ Supports Joint Comfort and Function. October 8, 2025. (accessed 2025-10-16).
3. Nash, R.J.; Mafongang, A.; Singh, H.; Singwe-Ngandeu, M; Penkova, Y.B.; Kaur, T.; Akbar, J. Standardised ido-BR1 Cucumber Extract Improved Parameters Linked to Moderate Osteoarthritis in a Placebo-Controlled Study. Current Rheumatology Review. 2023, 19(3), 345-351. DOI: 10.2174/1573397119666230206105703
4. Krawiec, S. Joint health supplements poised for mainstream acceptance. September 16, 2025. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/joint-health-supplements-poised-for-mainstream-acceptance (accessed 2025-10-16).