Action Mechanisms of Antirheumatic Herbal Medicines

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and debilitating joint disorder that causes severe impairment and reduces the quality of life. The available synthetic medicines used as standard therapy for RA have numerous side effects that can compromise their therapeutic outcomes. Thus, the demand for alternative and complementary medicines is increasing. A search of English articles in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases was carried out on probable mechanisms of action of herbs with the antirheumatic property. Herbal medicines stated in folk medicine face acceptance concerns by the medical community because of the lack of scientific documents regarding their physio-pharmacological mechanisms. This chapter aims to review the possible antirheumatic effects of various herbs, including Rosmarinus officinalis L., Curcuma longa, and Crocus sativus, their related mechanisms, and preclinical applications, in order to recall the therapeutic properties of herbal medicine. However, more clinical trials are required to confirm the safety and efficacy of these antirheumatic herbal medicines.