Perspective of Plant Medicine in Therapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rupesh K. Gautam, Kalyan Roy, GAYATRI THAPA, Disha Arora, SMRITI PARASHAR, BHUMIKA GURUNG L. DEB
Abstract
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic, inflammatory condition. The adverse effects of long-term use of presently available anti-arthritic or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiovascular complications, renal impairment, myelosuppression etc. and this requires continuous monitoring and eventually increasing the cost of treatment. Thus complementary and alternative medicines may fulfill the demand for patients suffering from this disease. Moreover, herbal therapy has been safe and effective enough to treat rheumatoid arthritis. With these backgrounds, the present review includes different 37 plants reported for anti-arthritic or anti-inflammatory effect. Also enlisted 37 bioactive principals reported for anti-arthritic effect with their source, mechanism of action and commercial herbal products available in the market for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The compiled information regarding plants and their role in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis will help to justify the use of plant-derived medicine in the therapy of rheumatoid arthritis in future.