Herbal medicinal products target defined biochemical and molecular mediators of inflammatory autoimmune arthritis
Authors
Shivaprasad Venkatesha
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
Brian Berman
Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
Kamal Moudgil
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
Keywords:
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), Herbal products, Inflammatory mediators, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic debilitating disease characterized by synovial inflammation, damage to cartilage and bone, and deformities of the joints. Several drugs possessing anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties are being used in the conventional (allopathic) system of medicine to treat RA. However, the long-term use of these drugs is associated with harmful side effects. Therefore, newer drugs with low or no toxicity for the treatment of RA are actively being sought. Interestingly, several herbs demonstrate anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. In this review, we describe the role of the major biochemical and molecular mediators in the pathogenesis of RA, and highlight the sites of action of herbal medicinal products that have anti-arthritic activity. With the rapidly increasing use of CAM products by patients with RA and other inflammation-related disorders, our review presents timely information validating the scientific rationale for the use of natural therapeutic products.
Keywords: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), Herbal products, Inflammatory mediators, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Author Biography
Kamal Moudgil, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
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