Advancement of Natural Compounds as Anti-rheumatoid Arthritis Agents: A Focus on Their Mechanism of Actions

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease categorized by infiltration of inflammatory cells, synovial hyperplasia, pannus formation and bone destruction, leading to disability worldwide. Despite the presence of the commercial availability of anti-RA agent on the market, the application of these drugs is limited due to its side effects. Anti-rheumatic drugs are more effective and safer being investigated by many researchers, especially, natural products with anti-RA have been identified and the underlying molecular mechanisms of action of novel and known compounds have been reported. In this review, we intend to provide a comprehensive view and updated on naturally occurring compounds known and novel that has the effect of anti-RA, and then classify them according to their molecular mechanisms of action in regulating the anti-RA lane main. The safety of compounds from natural plants and western medicine has also been briefly compared. In addition, the clinical trials with anti-RA compounds isolated from natural plants in RA were also summarized in this manuscript.