Evidence Level
Hyaluronic Acid is a well-researched supplement with applications in joint health and other areas. In the context of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), Tashiro et al. (2012) demonstrated that oral hyaluronic acid at 200mg/day over 12 months significantly improved WOMAC pain and physical function scores in patients with knee OA. Similarly, Nelson et al. (2015) found benefits for active adults with joint discomfort at just 80mg/day. A systematic review by Oe et al. (2016), analyzing 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), concluded that oral hyaluronic acid is effective for knee pain, particularly in younger patients under 70 years of age with mild-moderate OA.
Recent studies have explored the comparative efficacy of hyaluronic acid against other treatments. Xu et al. (2025) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 RCTs, concluding that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is more effective than hyaluronic acid for treating knee osteoarthritis based on VAS, WOMAC scores, and other indices. Similarly, Li et al. (2025) found that PRP injections were superior to hyaluronic acid in improving symptoms of KOA. However, Jawanda et al. (2024) noted that both PRP, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), and HA injections significantly outperformed corticosteroids in pain and function scores at a minimum of 6 months.
In other applications, Zhou and Yu (2025) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 studies, finding that hyaluronic acid injections improved skin hydration and radiance but not elasticity or melanin index. Luo et al. (2024) explored the effects of hyaluronic acid gel on intrauterine adhesion and fertility, concluding that it is safe and effective for improving outcomes after intrauterine surgery.
Overall, hyaluronic acid demonstrates efficacy in specific contexts, though its comparative effectiveness varies depending on the application and treatment modality.