A Review of the Occurrence of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Potential Treatments through Medicinal Plants from an Indian Perspective

Mohammad Raeesh Shekh; Nasir Ahmed; Vivek Kumar

doi:10.2174/0115733971268416231116184056

A Review of the Occurrence of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Potential Treatments through Medicinal Plants from an Indian Perspective

Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2023 Nov 28. doi: 10.2174/0115733971268416231116184056. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Mohammad Raeesh Shekh¹, Nasir Ahmed², Vivek Kumar¹

Affiliations

¹ National Innovation Foundation (NIF) - India, Grambharti, Amrapur, Gandhinagar-Mahudi Road, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
² Forensic Anthropology-1, Department of Forensic Medicine, YMC, Yenepoya Deemed to be University, University Road, Deralakatte, Mangaluru, Karnataka - 575018, India.

PMID: 38018201
DOI: 10.2174/0115733971268416231116184056

Abstract

Arthritis is a medical condition that affects the joints and causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness. There are different types of arthritis, and it can affect people of all ages, even infants and the elderly. Recent studies have found that individuals with diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are more likely to experience arthritis symptoms. According to the World Health Organization, over 21% of people worldwide suffer from musculoskeletal problems. Roughly 42.19 million individuals in India, constituting around 0.31% of the populace, have been documented as having Rheumatic Artheritis (RA). Compared to other common diseases like diabetes, cancer, and AIDS, arthritis is more prevalent in the general population. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for arthritis, and treatment plans usually involve non-pharmacological methods, surgeries, and medications that target specific symptoms. Plant-based remedies have also been shown to be effective in managing inflammation and related complications. In addition to therapies, maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and weight management are essential for managing arthritis. This review discusses the causes, prevalence, diagnostic methods, current and prospective future treatments, and potential medicinal plants that may act as anti-inflammatory or anti-rheumatic agents. However, more research is necessary to identify the underlying mechanisms and active molecules that could improve arthritis treatment.

Keywords: Rheumatoid; anti-inflammatory; autoimmune; etiology; inflammation; medicinal plants; phytochemicals; prevalence..