A method for treating osteoarthritis according to an embodiment of the present invention includes administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising an extract of Alpinia oxyphylla. The extract of Alpinia oxyphylla can reduce the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and COX-2 as an inflammatory factor and also the expression of MMP-9 as a cartilage degeneration-inducing factor, and can heal the cartilage damage, and thus it can be advantageously used as a functional health food composition for prevention or improvement of osteoarthritis or a therapeutic agent for osteoarthritis.
