Abstract

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS-A CURRENT APPROACH ON HERBAL THERAPY

*B. Monika, Kolavali Yalla Reddy and P. Venkatesh

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis is chronic, progressive, disabling autoimmune disease characterized by systemic inflammation of joints, damaging cartilage and bone around the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory and systemic auto immune disease affecting people predominantly between the ages of 20-50 years with unpredictable course. About 1% of the world's population is afflicted by rheumatoid arthritis and is two to three times more common in women than men. It characteristically results in swollen, warm and painful joints. Pain and stiffness often exacerbate following rest. The disease may also influence other parts of the body. This may effect in a low red blood cell count, inflammation around the heart and inflammation around the lungs. Although numbers of synthetic drugs are being used as standard treatment for rheumatoid arthritis but they have adverse effect that can compromise the therapeutic treatment. There are so many medicinal plants that have shown anti rheumatoid arthritic properties. So the plants and plant product with significant advantages are used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Review in this area has explored the potential research on plants for their anti-arthritic activity.

Keywords: Auto immune disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, Joints, Medicinal plants.