Exploring Fabaceae Medicinal Plants as Therapeutic Candidates for Arthritis: Molecular Insights and Mechanisms
TL;DR
The findings underscore the promise of Fabaceae plants as valuable natural sources for developing safe and effective anti-arthritic agents, war-ranting further pharmacological and clinical investigations to establish their efficacy and safety profiles.
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune disease characterised by chronic joint inflammation that necessitates effective management strategies. In recent years, medicinal plants of the Fabaceae family have gained considerable attention for their potential therapeutic roles in managing inflammatory disorders, including RA. This review examines the anti-arthritic potential of Fabaceae plants and elucidates their underlying mechanisms of action. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases for publications from 1990 to 2023, using keywords, such as Faba-ceae, medicinal plants, arthritis, phytochemicals, and mode of action. The analysis revealed that phytoconstituents, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenols, contribute signifi-cantly to the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities of Fabaceae members. These bioactive compounds alleviate RA symptoms by downregulating pro-in-flammatory mediators and modulating key molecular targets, including TNF-α, COX-2, and NF-κB signalling pathways. Moreover, antioxidant-rich extracts from Fabaceae species help neutralize reactive oxygen species, thereby mitigating oxidative stress–induced joint dam-age. While evidence from preclinical studies supports their therapeutic potential, clinical validation remains limited. Collectively, the findings underscore the promise of Fabaceae plants as valuable natural sources for developing safe and effective anti-arthritic agents, war-ranting further pharmacological and clinical investigations to establish their efficacy and safety profiles.