Herbal Approaches to Arthritis: A Detailed Review on the Medicinal Potential of Dichanthium annulatum, Pithecellobium dulce Bergenia ciliata, and Ludwigia adscendens

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent synovial inflammation, progressive joint destruction, and significant disability. Although substantial advances have been achieved with conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, biologics, and targeted synthetic therapies, their long-term use is often limited by adverse effects, high costs, and variable patient responses. Medicinal plants constitute a rich source of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and polyphenols, which exhibit potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. Emerging evidence suggests that plant-derived compounds can modulate key molecular pathways involved in RA pathogenesis, such as cytokine signaling, oxidative stress, and immune cell activation.

This review summarizes the current understanding of RA pathophysiology, highlights emerging therapeutic targets, and critically examines the role of plant-based interventions in RA management, with particular emphasis on selected medicinal plants including Dichanthium annulatum, Pithecellobium dulce and Bergenia ciliata. The integration of traditional medicinal knowledge with modern pharmacological research may support the development of safer, multi-targeted, and cost-effective therapeutic approaches for rheumatoid arthritis.