Curative remedies for rheumatoid arthritis: Herbal informatics approach for rational based selection of natural plant products

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory and systemic autoimmune disease characterized by joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Inflammatory mediators such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, COX-2, TNF- alpha, etc. attack joints upon activation and generate reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, causing oxidative stress. High risk of opportunistic infections has also been reported in patients associated with the use of TNF-α inhibitors, corticosteroids and methotrexate drugs. Use of herbal medicine is becoming popular due to their negligible toxicity and rare side effects. The present study emphasizes the use of a bioprospection model which includes random search, priority indexing and rationale based selection of natural plant products targeting key descriptors of the disease. The identified plants could be used as nutraceuticals to ameliorate the vulnerable condition in inflammatory disorder(s). Further <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> analysis is also warranted, so as to validate the findings of the <i>in silico</i> Bioprospection model.