Immunomodulatory role of natural products in treating rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic arthritis, which is closely associated with dysfunction of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Due to its high disability, rising incidence and heavy burden on families and society, as well as lack of cure approaches, it has been becoming a need for developing innovative therapy. Although biological therapy has brought a hope, more than 50 % RA patients had a poor therapeutic response and someone suffering from the serious side effects. Recent studies have shown that use of natural products may provide a new approach for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis since they display the significant curative effect with minor toxic and side effects. This review aims to discuss the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, the relationship with immune regulation imbalance, natural products with potential therapeutic effects on RA. We also briefly summarize the signaling pathways involved in Chinese herbal medicine.