ARTHRITIS

PAINS ACHES JOINT PAINS ARTHRITIS HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS:

1. BOSWELLIA SERRATA :
The resin of B. Serrata is rich in acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, the most potent
inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme responsible for inflammation. This plant is widely available n the Middle East, North Africa and India. However the Indian variation has the richest concentration of anti-inflammatory compounds, whereas the Middle eastern variety produces ‘Frankincense’.
Effective in both adjuvant arthritis (35-59%) as well as established arthritis (54-84%). It also shows antipyretic effect, with no ulcerogenic effect. The extract of the plant, Bos wellia serrata, can reduce pain and considerably improve knee-joint functions, in some cases providing relief even within seven days.
SIDE EFFECTS : NO KNOWN SIDE EFFECTS ARE KNOWN. HOWEVER IT IS
PRUDENT TO AVOID IT IN PREGNANCY AND LACTATION.

2. W. SOMNIFERA :
Ashwagandha is an analgesic that soothes nervous system from pain response ( Twajj etal., 1989 ). The powerful anti-arthritic properties ( Singh et al. 1984 , 1986 ) of Ashwagandha are now widely accepted and documented; it is furthermore found to be effective as antipyretic as well as analgesic also.

3. TURMERIC :
A turmeric fraction depleted of essential oils profoundly inhibitS joint inflammation and periarticular joint destruction in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo treatment prevented local activation of NF-kappaB and the subsequent expression of NF-kappaB-regulated genes mediating joint inflammation and destruction, including chemokines, cyclooxygenase 2, and RANKL. Consistent with these findings, inflammatory cell influx, joint levels of prostaglandin E(2), and periarticular osteoclast formation were inhibited by turmeric extract treatment.

CONCLUSION :
While NSAIDS and corticosteroids used in Pain and arthritis have serious side effects and some of them also seriously increase the Arthritis by inhibiting the enzyme ‘Elastase’, thereby, further destabilizing the joints, the Herbal supplements, rejuvenates the Joints and reduces pain and inflammation without any significant side effects. Drug interactions are also uncommon and rare.