This article throws light upon the top four herbs that act as anti-arthritis. The herbs are: 1. Curcuma Longa 2. Zingiber Officinale 3. Boswellia Sps 4. Uncaria Sps.
Anti Arthritis Herb # 1. Curcuma Longa:
Curcuma longa L. belongs to Zingiberaceae, commonly referred as turmeric is a perennial plant and being widely cultivated in Asiatic countries mainly in India and China.
In Indian language it is commonly called as “Haldi”. Some species including Curcuma longa can be distinguished and identified using single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of trnK gene. The rhizome of this plant is widely used in Indian traditional system of medicine.
Other than medicine it is also used as food additive (spice), preservative and dye. Its biological activity, chemistry, medical applications etc. has been reviewed from time to time.
Biologically active substances in turmeric rhizome include Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) and its derivatives. It has been studied since long time for its anti-arthritic effect and to understand its mechanism.
Recently it has been reported that curcumin inhibits IL-1β (3 induced PGE2 formation by inhibiting the expression of m PGES-1 (Prostaglandin E synthase 1) that is mediated by suppression of EGR- 1 expression as well as NF-kB and JNK V2.
Curcumin has also been studied for its effect on cytokine production by human peripheral blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages. In this studies it was found that curcumin inhibited the production of IL-8, MIP-1 ∝, MCP-1, IL-1 p and TNF-∝ by 4(3 phorbor 12(3- myristate- 13 ∝ acetate (PMA) or lipopolysaccharide stimulated monocytes and alveolar macrophages.
Anti Arthritis Herb # 2. Zingiber Officinale:
Zingiber officinale, the type genus of Zingiberaceae family, commonly reffered to as gingers, is one of the most common constituents of diets worldwide.
The rhizome of Z.officinale has been used in Indian ayurvedic medicine and traditional sino-japaneese medicine thousands of years to treat inflammatory and rheumatic disease. It has also been reported for its antioxidant, antiseptic, and carminative properties.
The chief constiuent of ginger includes volatile oils, oleoresins (gingerols), (β-carotenecapsaicin, caffeic acid and curcumin.
The constituents of ginger hydroxy-alcoxy-phenyl compounds inhibits chondrocytes and synviocytes TNF-a expression, another constituent [6] -gin- gerol inhibited LPS -induced I NOS expression and production of NO and other RNS Species in macrophages and blocked peroxynitrite- induced oxidation and nitration reaction, both invitro.
Anti Arthritis Herb # 3. Boswellia Sps:
The genus Boswellia belonging to family Burseraceae, with its anti-arthritic properties and others are well documented in alternative medicine literature.
Four species namely Boswellia serrata in India, Boswellia carterii in East Africa and China, Boswellia frereana in Somalia, and Boswellia sacra in Arabia are used to obtain the resins and gums because of its medicinal properties. The gum resins are collectively known as Guggals.
In Ayurvedic medicine system of India, guggal has been successfully used for the treatment of inflammatory poly-arthritis and other forms of rheumatism. It has also been screened for immunostimulant activity and antiinflammatory properties and the mechanism behind it.
Ethonalic extract of Boswellia carterii dissolved in sesame oil exerted a dose dependence inhibitory effect on in vitro IFN-y and IL-2 production by splenocytes from B6 DBA/2 and B6 D2F1 hybrid mice. Human rheumatoid arthritis has a strong immune mediated component and is marked by increase activated levels of TH1 cells and their cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-y.
Anti Arthritis Herb # 4. Uncaria Sps:
Two species namely Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis are well known for its antiarthritic properties. U. tomentosa is a Peruvian vine, also known as cats claw has been used by ethnic people to treat immunologic disorders. In Traditional medicine system, the decoctions of cat’s claw bark are prescribed for the treatment of arthritis, bursitis, stomach disorders and chronic fatigue syndrome.
The chemical composition of the aqueous extract of U. tomentosa vine includes oxindoleal-kaloids, tannins, quinolic acids, glycosides, flavonoids and steroids. The root contains pentacyclic oxindoles.