Harnessing Indigenous Medicinal Plants and Phytochemicals for Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy in Africa

Ezeani N. N.

Department of Biochemistry, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Corresponding Author: nk.ezeani@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes persistent joint inflammation, pain, and disability. Despite advances in modern medicine, there is no known cure, and existing treatments are often limited by high costs, adverse side effects, and restricted accessibility in resource-constrained regions such as Africa. Indigenous African medicinal plants, long utilized in traditional healing systems, represent a promising source of novel therapeutic agents. Many of these plants contain bioactive phytochemicals including flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids with demonstrated anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects relevant to RA management. This review highlights selected indigenous plants traditionally used for arthritis treatment, such as Piptadeniastrum africanum, Aspilia africana, and Piper nigrum, emphasizing their phytochemical profiles, mechanisms of action, and experimental evidence. It also examines the challenges of clinical validation, conservation threats, and the need for robust policy frameworks to protect indigenous knowledge and promote sustainable use. Harnessing Africa’s phytomedical resources for RA therapy requires an integrated approach that bridges traditional medicine and modern science through pharmacological studies, clinical trials, and ethical conservation. Advancing this research could not only provide safer, more affordable treatment options for RA patients but also strengthen local healthcare systems, preserve biodiversity, and promote equitable benefit sharing with indigenous communities.

Keywords: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Indigenous Medicinal Plants, Phytochemicals and Anti-inflammatory Therapy.

CITE AS: Ezeani N. N. (2025). Harnessing Indigenous Medicinal Plants and Phytochemicals for Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy in Africa. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL   AND APPLIED SCIENCESN 6 (2):84-92. https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJBAS/2025/6.2.849200