The DICKENS study investigated the efficacy of diacerein, a plant extract, in the treatment of knee pain caused by osteoarthritis with effusion and inflammation.[1] A randomized, double-blind trial enrolled 262 patients aged 40-64 years who received either diacerein 50-100 mg twice daily or placebo for 24 weeks.[1] The primary objective was improvement in knee pain measured on a 0-100 mm scale.[1] Results showed that diacerein did not significantly improve knee pain or effusion compared to placebo.[1][4] Among side effects, diarrhea (38.6% vs. 22.3%) and colored urine (10.6% vs. 0%) were more common in the diacerein group.[1] In contrast, another 2025 study in Vietnamese patients with obesity and osteoarthritis found that diacerein at a dose of 100 mg per day led to more significant improvements in symptoms and joint function.[2] Overall, the efficacy of diacerein in osteoarthritis of the knee appears to be inconsistent and its benefits are limited.