Unravelling the Approaches to Treat Osteoarthritis: A Focus on the Potential of Medicinal Plants

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent chronic rheumatic disorder, affecting more women than men. The prevalence and course of OA are increased by ageing and obesity. Numerous other risk factors for OA progression include oxidative stress, injury, mechanical stress, and metabolic problems. Interleukin–1 is released during inflammatory responses, which destroys cartilage. Interleukin–1 is correlated with the release of proteases, an enzyme that destroys cartilage further. Other cytokines similar to TNF–alpha induce the enzyme matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), which causes joint injury. Collagenase is another enzyme that degrades collagen and so impacts negatively on the articular cartilage. NSAIDs, opioid analgesics, topical analgesics, and intra-articular steroids are being used to alleviate osteoarthritis pain, and symptoms. However, various adverse effects are linked with all of these medications, limiting their usage, for example, NSAIDs used to relieve OA pain. Nonetheless, they exhibit gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and nephrotoxicity. Tramadol also has an effect on the central nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Patients were interested in herbal plants because they were worried about the safety and inadequate effectiveness of pharmaceuticals. Plants have been used to cure a variety of ailments since ancient times, and several plants have the ability to treat OA. According to several studies, the pain and progression of OA may be considerably slowed, or halted by bioactive chemicals found in plants. Conclusion: Here we analysed the current scientific literature available that revealed a rising number of research on the possible antiosteoarthritic effects of medicinal plants and their principal ingredients, indicating the possibility of a novel therapeutic use.