Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Oil for the Management Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that primarily affects synovial joints and progressively leads to cartilage destruction, bone erosion, deformity, disability, and reduction in quality of life. It is one of the most common inflammatory arthropathies worldwide, affecting nearly 0.5–1% of the global population. RA is more prevalent in women and commonly appears between 30–60 years of age. Modern treatment of RA includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biological agents. Although effective, these medications are associated with numerous adverse effects such as gastric ulcers, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, osteoporosis, infections, and immunosuppression. Traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha offer holistic therapeutic strategies for RA. Ayurveda correlates RA with Amavata, Unani describes it as Waja-ul-Mafasil, and Siddha recognizes it under Azhal Keelvayu / Vatha disorders. These systems emphasize correction of body imbalance, detoxification, use of herbs, dietary regulation, external therapies, and rejuvenation. Polyherbal formulations have emerged as an important therapeutic approach because of synergistic effects, multi-target mechanisms, better efficacy, lower toxicity, and long-term safety. Herbs such as Boswellia serrata, Curcuma longa, Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Zingiber officinale, Colchicum luteum, Rasna, Amukkara, and many others are traditionally used. This review provides a highly detailed account of RA pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment limitations, Ayurvedic-Unani-Siddha concepts, medicinal herbs, classical formulations, marketed products, dosage forms, mechanisms of action, scientific validation, and future prospects.