Research

Collagen Type II (UC-II)

21 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

0
Meta-analyses
1
Systematic reviews
20
RCTs
0
Other studies
Systematic reviews (5%)
RCTs (95%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2025·Journal of cosmetic dermatology·Yu Wang, Weixing Zhu, Wenyu Luo, et al

The Sustained Effects of Bioactive Collagen Peptides on Skin Health: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.

RCTn = 77Skin Hair Health

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 77 healthy female participants evaluated the effects of 5000 mg/day bioactive collagen peptides (BCP) supplementation on skin health over 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout. BCP significantly improved dermal density, hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to placebo, with effects maintained during the washout period.

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2025·Scientific reports·Varah Yuenyongviwat, Chirathit Anusitviwat, Pakjai Tuntarattanapong, et al

Efficacy of combined undenatured type II collagen and hydrolysed collagen supplementation in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial.

RCTn = 68Joint Bone Health -

RCT evaluating the efficacy of combined undenatured type II collagen and hydrolysed collagen supplementation in 68 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Both groups showed significant improvements in pain intensity and KOOS scores over time, but no significant differences were observed between the collagen and placebo groups. No adverse effects were reported.

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2025·Scientific reports·Johannes-Paul Fladerer-Grollitsch, Thomas Klein, Albert Kompek, et al

Effects of cartilage-supporting nutritional supplementation on knee osteoarthritis symptoms and quality of life in a 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study.

RCTn = 54Joint Bone Health

This 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study investigated the efficacy of a formulation containing collagen type II, glucosamine hydrochloride, and chondroitin sulfate in alleviating knee osteoarthritis symptoms. Significant improvements were observed in the verum group for KOOS subscales, including symptoms, sport/recreation, and quality of life. Both groups showed significant pain reduction, but the verum group exhibited a linear improvement over 12 weeks.

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2024·Nutrients·Brenda Laky, Daniel Huemer, Martin Eigenschink, et al

A Dietary Supplement in the Management of Patients with Lumbar Osteochondrosis: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study.

RCTn = 50Joint Bone Health

This double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial evaluated a nutraceutical supplement mix including collagen type II, hyaluronic acid, n-acetyl-glucosamine, bamboo extract, L-lysine, and vitamin C in 50 patients with lumbar osteochondrosis. While PROMs showed no significant differences between groups, MRI evaluations indicated significantly higher 3D-measured volume changes in the supplement group, suggesting potential stabilization or increase in IVD volumes.

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2024·The American journal of the medical sciences·Arnold E Postlethwaite, Yan Jiao, Chengyuan Yang, et al

Optimizing oral immune tolerance to Type II collagen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: The importance of dose, interfering medication and genetics.

RCT

RCT exploring genetic control of oral immune tolerance to type II collagen in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Patients were assigned to low or high dose collagen groups, and SNP A-15,737 was associated with the ability of collagen to suppress IFNγ production by stimulated PBMCs.

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2023·Nutrition journal·Chun-Chieh Chen, Shih-Sheng Chang, Chih-Hsiang Chang, et al

Randomized, double-blind, four-arm pilot study on the effects of chicken essence and type II collagen hydrolysate on joint, bone, and muscle functions.

RCTn = 160Joint Bone Health Physical Performance

RCT of 160 older adults with knee osteoarthritis comparing effects of hydrolyzed collagen type II (HC-II), essence of chicken with HC-II (EC-HC-II), glucosamine HCl, and placebo over 24 weeks. HC-II reduced pain more than placebo, and EC-HC-II improved fat-free mass and grip strength compared to glucosamine HCl and placebo.

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2022·Journal of integrative and complementary medicine·Christiane Schön, Katharina Knaub, Wilfried Alt, et al

UC-II Undenatured Type II Collagen for Knee Joint Flexibility: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.

RCTn = 96Joint Bone Health

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the effect of undenatured type II collagen on knee flexibility in 96 healthy subjects with activity-related joint discomfort. The study found a statistically significant increase in knee range of motion flexion and extension in the undenatured collagen group compared to placebo, suggesting improved knee joint flexibility.

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2022·Journal of the American Nutrition Association·Yoshiaki Shiojima, Megumi Takahashi, Ryohei Takahashi, et al

Efficacy and Safety of Dietary Undenatured Type II Collagen on Joint and Motor Function in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study.

RCTn = 64Joint Bone Health Physical Performance

RCT evaluating the efficacy and safety of 12 weeks of undenatured type II collagen (NEXT-II) intake on joint and motor function in 64 healthy Japanese participants. Significant improvements in knee flexibility, mobility, and reduction in knee and lower back pain were observed in the NEXT-II group.

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2022·Wiener klinische Wochenschrift·Érika Thatyana Nascimento Santana, Saulo da Cunha Machado, Viviane Nascimento Brandão Lima, et al

Comparison between exercise therapy and non-hydrolyzed collagen (UC-II) in functionality and quality of life in women with knee osteoarthritis : A randomized controlled clinical trial.

RCTJoint Bone Health

RCT comparing the effects of exercise therapy and non-hydrolyzed collagen (UC-II) on functionality and quality of life in women with knee osteoarthritis. Both interventions improved functionality, but exercise was superior in enhancing quality of life.

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2012·Osteoarthritis and cartilage·J P J Van Vijven, P A J Luijsterburg, A P Verhagen, et al

Symptomatic and chondroprotective treatment with collagen derivatives in osteoarthritis: a systematic review.

Systematic reviewJoint Bone Health

Systematic review of RCTs and quasi-RCTs evaluating collagen derivatives (undenatured collagen, gelatine, collagen hydrolysate) for osteoarthritis treatment. Results show mixed evidence for pain reduction and no significant effect on disability. Overall quality of evidence is moderate to very low.

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2024·PLOS ONE·Britta Dobenecker, L. Böswald, Sven Reese, et al

The oral intake of specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides (BCP) improves gait and quality of life in canine osteoarthritis patients—A translational large animal model for a nutritional therapy option

RCTn = 31Joint Bone Health

A systematic, placebo-controlled, double-blind interventional study in 31 dogs with naturally occurring osteoarthritis tested the efficacy of oral supplementation of specific bioactive collagen peptides (BCP). The study found significant improvements in several kinetic parameters and quality of life, suggesting the therapeutic use of BCP in canine OA patients and potential relevance for human OA treatment.

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2019·Alternative therapies in health and medicine·Stephen R Schwartz, Kimberly A Hammon, Anna Gafner, et al

Novel Hydrolyzed Chicken Sternal Cartilage Extract Improves Facial Epidermis and Connective Tissue in Healthy Adult Females: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

RCTn = 128Skin Hair Health

A 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 128 female participants aged 39-59 tested the effects of BioCell Collagen, a chicken sternal cartilage extract. The supplement significantly reduced facial lines and wrinkles, increased skin elasticity and collagen content, and improved skin appearance. It was well tolerated with no adverse reactions.

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2017·Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme·Denise Zdzieblik, Steffen Oesser, Albert Gollhofer, et al

Improvement of activity-related knee joint discomfort following supplementation of specific collagen peptides.

RCTn = 139Joint Bone Health

RCT evaluating the use of specific collagen peptides in reducing pain in athletes with functional knee problems. 139 athletic subjects ingested 5 g of collagen peptides or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The study found a statistically significant improvement in activity-related pain intensity in the collagen peptide group compared to placebo.

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2016·Nutrition journal·James P Lugo, Zainulabedin M Saiyed, Nancy E Lane

Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

RCTn = 191Joint Bone Health

This multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) for knee osteoarthritis symptoms. The UC-II group showed significant improvements in the WOMAC score and its subscales compared to placebo and glucosamine hydrochloride plus chondroitin sulfate. UC-II was well-tolerated.

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2015·Journal of medicinal food·Michael Schunck, Vivian Zague, Steffen Oesser, et al

Dietary Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides Has a Body Mass Index-Dependent Beneficial Effect on Cellulite Morphology.

RCTn = 105Skin Hair Health

This double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study investigated the efficacy of specific bioactive collagen peptides (BCP) on cellulite treatment in 105 women with moderate cellulite. Over 6 months, BCP treatment led to a statistically significant decrease in cellulite degree and skin waviness in normal weight women, with improved dermal density compared to placebo. The impact was less pronounced in overweight women, but overall, BCP improved skin appearance in women with moderate cellulite.

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2013·Skin pharmacology and physiology·E Proksch, M Schunck, V Zague, et al

Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis.

RCTn = 114Skin Hair Health

Double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT with 114 women aged 45-65 years assessing the effects of bioactive collagen peptides (VERISOL) on skin wrinkles and dermal matrix synthesis. The study found a significant reduction in eye wrinkle volume and increased procollagen I and elastin content after 8 weeks of BCP intake compared to placebo.

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2009·International journal of medical sciences·David C Crowley, Francis C Lau, Prachi Sharma, et al

Safety and efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a clinical trial.

RCTJoint Bone Health

Clinical trial comparing undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) to glucosamine and chondroitin (G+C) in treating osteoarthritis of the knee. UC-II treatment resulted in a significant reduction in WOMAC, VAS, and Lequesne's functional index scores, indicating improved efficacy over G+C in enhancing daily activities and quality of life.

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2011·Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition·R C Gupta, T D Canerdy, J Lindley, et al

Comparative therapeutic efficacy and safety of type-II collagen (UC-II), glucosamine and chondroitin in arthritic dogs: pain evaluation by ground force plate.

RCTn = 28Joint Bone Health

RCT on moderately arthritic dogs comparing type-II collagen (UC-II), glucosamine, and chondroitin. Significant reduction in pain was observed in dogs treated with UC-II alone or in combination with glucosamine and chondroitin. UC-II showed the most improvement in pain reduction by day 150, with no adverse effects on physical, hepatic, or renal functions.

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2005·Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics·L A Deparle, R C Gupta, T D Canerdy, et al

Efficacy and safety of glycosylated undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) in therapy of arthritic dogs.

RCTn = 15Joint Bone Health

RCT evaluating the efficacy and safety of undenatured type-II collagen (UC-II) in obese-arthritic dogs. Dogs receiving UC-II showed significant declines in pain and lameness, with no adverse effects noted. Increased physical activity was observed, and symptoms relapsed after withdrawal.

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2002·International journal of clinical pharmacology research·D Bagchi, B Misner, M Bagchi, et al

Effects of orally administered undenatured type II collagen against arthritic inflammatory diseases: a mechanistic exploration.

RCTn = 5Joint Bone Health

A pilot study evaluated the efficacy of orally administered undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) in five female subjects with significant joint pain over 42 days. Significant pain reduction, including morning stiffness and improved joint function, was observed, suggesting UC-II may be a novel therapeutic tool for joint inflammatory conditions like OA and RA.

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1998·British journal of rheumatology·H J Häuselmann, M Caravatti, B Seifert, et al

Can collagen type II sustain a methotrexate-induced therapeutic effect in patients with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis? A double-blind, randomized trial.

RCTn = 92Joint Bone Health

Double-blind, randomized trial of 92 rheumatoid arthritis patients on stable methotrexate therapy, comparing the efficacy of oral triple helical collagen type II to continuing methotrexate. The study found that substituting methotrexate with collagen type II led to a significant increase in disease activity, indicating collagen type II at the given dose does not sustain methotrexate's anti-inflammatory effect.

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