Systematic review of the nutritional supplements dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the treatment of osteoarthritis 

This systematic review evaluates the existing evidence from randomized controlled trials of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) to determine its efficacy and safety profile. In two of the MSM trials, involving 168 patients with OA of the knee (N=52 on active treatment), significant improvement in pain outcomes in the treatment group compared to comparator treatments were reported. The data from the more rigorous MSM trials provide positive but not definitive evidence that MSM is superior to placebo in the treatment of mild to moderate OA of the knee. Further studies are now required to identify both the optimum dosage and longer-term safety of MSM and definitive efficacy trials.  

References:

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 Nov;16(11):1277-88. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2008.03.002. Epub 2008 Apr 15. PMID: 18417375. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18417375/