The effect of rosemary leaf powder on disease symptoms, inflammatory and oxidative markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial

In this randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial, 72 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to two groups: one receiving rosemary leaf powder (4 g/day) and the other receiving a placebo (starch powder, 4 g/day). After 12 weeks of consuming rosemary leaf powder, significant changes were observed in disease activity score (DAS-28), tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), visual analog scale (VAS), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) between two groups ( p ≤ .001). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in morning stiffness ( p = .660), patient global assessment (PGA) ( p = .056), or tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( p = .751) serum levels between the two groups. However, in the group receiving rosemary powder, PGA and TNF-α serum levels decreased significantly (respectively, p = .001, p = .005). In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, rosemary supplements, when used alongside standard medications, may have beneficial effects. • Rosemary has beneficial effects on health due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. • Consumption of rosemary improves some inflammatory and antioxidant indicators. • Consumption of rosemary reduces the severity of rheumatoid arthritis and improves some clinical symptoms.