Rheumatoid Arthritis: Pathogenesis, Therapeutic Strategies, Advances, and Structural Activity Relationships of Synthesized Agents

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most prevalent form of inflammatory arthritis, characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane. Current therapeutic options have advanced RA management significantly, yet limitations like adverse effects and treatment resistance underscore the need for novel therapeutic agents. Recent advancements have introduced promising candidates, including BTK inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, TLR4 inhibitors, COX-2 inhibitors, and LOX inhibitors, which target specific pathways implicated in RA pathogenesis. This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of RA, emphasizing its pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies. Special attention is given to the structural-activity relationships (SAR) and mechanistic insights underlying emerging pharmacological interventions. Moreover, current challenges and future directions in RA drug discovery are critically examined, highlighting innovative wet-lab approaches to address unmet clinical needs.