Herbal Remedies: Promisingly Effective for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is most significant and devastating to the human body. It is an autoimmune disorder that affects almost 2-4% of the population of the world. Rheumatoid arthritis usually occurs when the immune system works against one’s own body and attacks it. Rheumatoid arthritis generally affects the joints like wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. Even though the reason for causing RA is unknown, the contributing factors for the development of the RA are of various types. Usually women are more affected by RA then men due to the prevalence of hormonal changes. Age is also an important factor that contributes for the development of RA. The general treatment approach for rheumatoid arthritis is to prevent further damage of joints and lower the inflammation and pain. Symptomatic treatment is also the base for RA treatment in many patients. Considering these side effects and limited use of the synthetic drugs, a deep focus has been put into herbal drugs as useful remedies to treat RA successfully. So there has been as growing trend towards development of polyherbal formulation employing potent herbs to treat the disease. Scientific investigations had been carried out to prove the potency of the herbs to treat RA in various animal and invitro models. Many polyherbal formulations had been marketed successfully and were prescribed by the physician. In this view the standardization stands as utmost important parameter for proving the quality of the formulation. Considering the marketed formulations attempts are to be made to determine the quality and effect of the herbal formulations. Investigations are also to be made to determine the interaction between the herbs employed in the formulation.