Novel Plant-Based Anti-inflammatory Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to invite you to contribute to a Special Issue of Nutrients titled “Novel Plant-Based Anti-inflammatory Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis”.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the joints. It is an autoimmune disease in which the synovium, which is the lining of the membranes surrounding the joints, is mistakenly attacked by the immune system. Without treatment, this results in swelling, discomfort, inflammation, and, eventually, joint degeneration. Additionally, RA can affect other organs, which can lead to a variety of systemic problems. The goals of current RA therapy are to control symptoms and delay the course of the illness. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic medications (DMARDs), and biologic medicines that target particular immune pathways are examples of conventional therapy. Although these treatments can be beneficial, they frequently have serious adverse effects, including an increased risk of infection, long-term organ damage, and gastrointestinal problems. Investigating novel, safer, and more efficacious therapy options is necessary due to the chronic nature of RA and its detrimental effects on patients’ quality of life. Plant-based medicines have received increased attention due to their potential advantages in treating various chronic ailments, including diabetes, inflammatory disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. These treatments frequently use whole plants, plant extracts, or plant-derived bioactive substances. Numerous plant-based treatments have demonstrated potential in controlling the symptoms of RA and modifying the underlying inflammatory mechanisms. Plant-based medicines offer a promising direction in the ongoing search for safer and more potent RA treatments. They are considered beneficial and appealing complementary alternatives in RA care because of their natural origin, lower risk profile, and many benefits derived from bioactive compounds. More investigation and carefully planned clinical trials are required to completely understand their therapeutic potential and maximise their usage in clinical practice. By adopting plant-based medicines, we can provide patients with comprehensive and long-lasting remedies, improving their quality of life and long-term health results.

This Special Issue aims to present the most recent studies on innovative plant-based treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, emphasising the ability of plant-based bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory properties to treat cartilage destruction caused by arthritis. Original research papers, reviews, and brief communications that outline current developments and potential avenues for further investigation on plant-derived treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are all welcome.

Dr. Nagaraja Haleagrahara
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• rheumatoid arthrtis
• autoimmune
• cartilage
• knee joint
• inflammation
• cytokines
• bioactive compounds