Potentially effective natural drugs in treatment for the most common rheumatic disorder: osteoarthritis

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Natural Products
• Rheumatology and Orthopedics

Background:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) involves an imbalance of cartilage mediators, leading to joint destruction.
• Current OA treatments primarily manage symptoms, lacking disease-modifying effects.
• There is a growing need for novel, safe, and effective OA therapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review efficacious medicinal plants and phytochemicals for osteoarthritis management.
• To evaluate the efficacy and molecular mechanisms of these natural compounds.
• To highlight research trends in natural drug discovery for OA.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of experimental investigations.
• Analysis of phytochemical agents from medicinal plants used in OA.
• Evaluation of scientific evidence on efficacy and mechanisms of action.

Main Results:

• Identified several medicinal plants and phytochemicals with potential OA therapeutic benefits.
• Discussed the molecular mechanisms underlying the efficacy of these natural agents.
• Highlighted the limitations of current research and the need for further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Medicinal plants and their phytochemicals represent a promising avenue for OA drug development.
• Understanding their mechanisms of action is crucial for therapeutic advancement.
• Continued research is essential to develop disease-modifying osteoarthritis treatments.