Food bioactive compounds and the management of arthritis and its symptoms

Abstract: Bioactive compounds in food offer many health benefits, particularly to individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases. Among these compounds, terpenoids – commonly found in mushrooms – play a vital role in disease symptoms. Since mushrooms are commonly recognized for their terpenoid content, these compounds are known to influence cytokine production. Although these compounds are widely recognized for their therapeutic effects, studies often utilize rodent models rather than humans. In addition to mushrooms, other natural compounds in rosehip and honey offer similar anti-inflammatory properties. These data suggest that dietary patterns may affect disease outcome through the regulation of inflammatory messaging systems throughout the body. Further investigations are needed to understand how plant compounds in functional foods affect the human body. However, the safety of such compounds must also be evaluated since previous studies have shown gastrointestinal symptoms, altered mental status, seizures, and induced coma to occur when consumed at toxic doses. These items have not been established as functional foods due to inadequate research but may be recognized as such if they are able to follow a previously established certification pathway. Novelty: This research presents a comprehensive review of diverse food-derived bioactive compounds—focusing on terpenoids from mushrooms, bioactives from rosehip, and polyphenolic compounds in honey—and their role in managing arthritis and its symptoms. The study emphasizes not only their individual capacity to modulate cytokine production and attenuate systemic inflammation but also explores their synergistic and integrative potential when used in combination. By acting on key inflammatory pathways, such as cytokine signaling and oxidative stress modulation, these compounds may offer complementary therapeutic benefits. While much of the current evidence relies on preclinical and animal studies, emerging data suggest promising clinical relevance, warranting further investigation in human trials. This review highlights critical research gaps, including the need for mechanistic studies on bioactive combinations and large-scale clinical trials to evaluate safety, efficacy, and interaction with standard therapies. Ultimately, the findings advocate for the strategic incorporation of these natural compounds into arthritis management, positioning them as cost-effective dietary interventions with the potential to improve patient outcomes.” Keywords: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gouty Arthritis, Terpenoid, Cytokine, Mushroom, Rosehip, Honey.