Potential Biomolecules from the Natural Sources for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Detailed Review

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the immune system where proinflammatory mediators produce inflammation, swelling, and pain in joints and muscles. Continuous progression may cause damage to articular cartilages, joint tissue, and decaying of bones, which may ultimately lead to disability or mortality. Prevention of the progression of rheumatoid arthritis is a severe challenge for the medical system and scientific community. The present pharmaceutical intervention comprises NSAIDS, steroids, and disease-modifying anti-arthritic drugs (DMARDs). Medical interventions, like surgery and knee replacement, are also available. These synthetic drugs are accompanied by several adverse effects ranging from acute to chronic ones. The use of natural products is an important alternative for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Plants, microbes, and other natural sources involve vital bioactive molecules, which are being employed in the treatment of several diseases. Plant-derived bioactive molecules, like boswellic acid, acetyl-β-boswellic acid, guggulsterone, curcuminoids, etc., are promising components, serving as a therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. These bioactive molecules have been evaluated for their effects on rheumatoid arthritis using different screening methods, and they have shown prospective results. Many plant extracts have been used to halt the disease progression, and promising results have been recorded. Bioactive molecules produced by microorganisms are potential candidates to be used in rheumatoid arthritis, and few microorganisms could be used directly as probiotics to combat the altered immune system. These microbes secrete numerous chemicals into the gut of the host, which are responsible for inhibiting the pro-inflammatory mediators, and helping to prevent the disease. 

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Auto-immune, Bioactive molecules, Inflammation, Microorganisms, Plants products, Probiotics, Pro-inflammatory, Rheumatoid arthritis.