Plant raw material as a source of antioxidants in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis struggle with inflammation, oxidative stress and pain. This review paper aims to present selected plant material with antioxidants used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The symptoms and treatment methods were presented. The role of reactive oxygen species in oxidative stress is discussed. This work includes extracts and other forms of substances with medicinal properties containing plant raw material. Example compositions of herbal mixtures recommended in this disease are presented. The medicinal properties and antioxidants were found in plant material as follows: mountain arnica (Arnica montana L.) (flowers), Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) (root), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria L.) (root and herbs), turmeric (Curcumae longae L.) (rhizome), white mustard (Sinapis alba L.), and willow (Salix L.) (bark), were characterized and discussed. Due to oxidative stress, accompanied by increased production of free radicals, plant materials containing antioxidants that neutralize free radicals are used in the supporting treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.