Herbal Medicinal Products in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, which represents a substantial economic burden for society and significantly affects patients' quality of life. Current conventional treatments of OA may be insufficiently effective and unsafe. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, many patients use herbal medicinal products (HMPs) and dietary supplements. A considerable number of herbal drugs and preparations (e.g., willow bark, Salicis cortex; devil's claw root, Harpagophyti radix; blackcurrant leaf, Ribis nigri folium; nettle leaf/herb, Urticae folium/herba; meadowsweet/meadowsweet flower, Filipendulae ulmariae herba/flos; rosemary leaf/oil, Rosmarini folium/aetheroleum; and juniper oil, Juniperi aetheroleum) are traditionally employed to relieve minor articular pain. Active constituents (e.g., sesquiterpene lactones, triterpenic acids, diarylheptanoids, iridoid glycosides, phenolic glycosides, procyanidins, and alkaloids) are not often fully known. Experimental studies suggest that herbal extracts/compounds are able to suppress inflammation, inhibit catabolic processes, and stimulate anabolic processes relevant to OA. Therapeutic benefit of most HMPs is expected solely from the experience of their long-standing traditional use. Efficacy and safety of several HMPs were assessed in clinical trials. The growing body of preclinical and clinical evidence provides rationale for the use of herbal products in the treatment of OA. However, at present, they cannot be recommended to patients with confidence.

Effects of Extract of Arrabidaea chica Verlot on an Experimental Model of Osteoarthritis

“…However, available scientific data are still insufficient to support the use of these products in the clinical management of OA. However, the growth of studies in this sense brings expectations regarding the arrival of reliable, efficient, and safe herbal products that meet the criteria of modern medicine [35].…”

Impact of Cuminaldehyde and Indomethacin Co-Administration on Inflammatory Responses in MIA-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats

“…Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis globally, posing significant socioeconomic challenges. It arises from a complex interplay of factors including mechanical stress, genetics, metabolic components, and lifestyle factors such as physical activity and obesity, with the latter and aging identified as primary risk factors [1][2][3]. OA is characterized by cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation, and pain, which impact overall joint health and can lead to disability due to the limited healing capacity of cartilage, largely influenced by inflammatory mediators [4].…”

Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Effects Extracts From Elaeagnus Angustifolia,satureja Montana, Quercus Brantii, Tragopogon Dubius, Sonchus Asper, on the P.aeruginosa and S.aureus

“…According to the latest WHO reports in 2018 from the data of the Organization for the monitoring of Antibiotic Resistance, shows a high level of resistance to some serious bacterial infections in low-income and low-income countries. The Global Antimicrobial Surveillance System (GLASS) shows that antibiotic resistance is widespread among 500,000 people with recurrent bacterial infections in 22 countries [1]. This global threat is increasing and our ability to treat nosocomial or community-acquired infections is declining.…”