HERBAL PLANT USED IN THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent synovial inflammation, progressive cartilage and bone destruction, and functional impairment. The pathogenesis of RA involves complex immune dysregulation, including autoantibody production, abnormal T- and B-cell activation, and excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6. Although conventional therapies such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids are effective in symptom management, their long-term use is associated with adverse effects and limited disease remission. Growing interest in herbal medicines has highlighted their potential as alternative or complementary therapies for RA due to their multi-targeted pharmacological actions and improved safety profiles. Various medicinal plants and their bioactive constituents have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities in experimental arthritis models. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of RA, limitations of current treatments, and the therapeutic potential of herbal medicines, emphasizing the need for further clinical validation.