ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of glucosamine hydrochloride combined with Tenghuangjiangu tablets on knee osteoarthritis. MethodsFrom August 2012 to February 2014, 180 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into three groups with 60 in each. Patients in group A were treated with glucosamine hydrochloride; patients in group B were treated with Tenghuangjiangu tablets; and patients in group C were treated with the combination of glucosamine hydrochloride and Tenghuangjiangu tablets. After the 12-week treatment, clinical efficacy and safety of the treatment were observed and compared with those before the treatment. ResultsThe twenty-meter walking pain, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the joint tenderness in the three groups 12 weeks after the treatment and 4 weeks after withdrawal improved obviously compared with those before the treatment (P<0.05), and the difference between the results of 12 weeks after treatment and 4 weeks after withdrawal was not significant (P>0.05). The improvement in group C was better than both group A and B with significant differences (P<0.05), while the difference between group A and B was not significant (P>0.05). There was no obvious abnormal routine blood and urine test result or damage of liver and lung functions during the treatment in all the three groups. Twelve weeks after treatment, six patients with abdominal ache were found in group A with an incidence of 10.0%; 5 abdominal ache and 2 diarrhea were in group B with a rate of 12.5%; and 4 abdominal ache and 3 diarrhea were in group C with a rate of 12.5%. All the patients completed the treatment. No significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions was found among the three groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of combined glucosamine hydrochloride and Tenghuangjiangu tablets is obvious on knee osteoarthritis with low incidence of adverse reactions.