Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Oxidative Stress and the Role of Drug Delivery System

A systemic inflammatory illness called rheumatoid arthritis (RA), characterized by persistent joint inflammation, results in early mortality and severe disability. Around 1% of people worldwide have it, with women experiencing two to three times the rate of men. The pathophysiology and factors involved in the pathogenesis of RA are covered in this review. The previous 20 years have seen noticeable progress in understanding the mechanisms behind the onset of RA, improving early diagnosis. The most well-known medications used to treat RA are still disease- modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids. Oxidative stress, a state in which the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) rises due to increased production, decreased antioxidant defenses, or a combination of the two, has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This suggests a breakdown in redox signaling. It is yet unknown exactly how oxidative stress may contribute to the development and maintenance of systemic and locally inflamed rheumatoid arthritis, especially in the early stages. The present review discusses the management of rheumatoid arthritis and oxidative stress, with an emphasis on phytomolecules and novel approaches. Most importantly, we go into detail about newly developed drug delivery systems, including liposomes, dendrimers, micelles, nanoparticles, and microspheres. These techniques show great promise for the management of RA and help overcome the drawbacks of conventional drug delivery systems.