title: Phytomedicine in Joint Disorders.
abstract: Chronic joint inflammatory disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have in common an upsurge of inflammation, and oxidative stress, resulting in progressive histological alterations and disabling symptoms. Currently used conventional medication (ranging from pain-killers to biological agents) is potent, but frequently associated with serious, even life-threatening side effects. Used for millennia in traditional herbalism, medicinal plants are a promising alternative, with lower rate of adverse events and efficiency frequently comparable with that of conventional drugs. Nevertheless, their mechanism of action is in many cases elusive and/or uncertain. Even though many of them have been proven effective in studies done in vitro or on animal models, there is a scarcity of human clinical evidence. The purpose of this review is to summarize the available scientific information on the following joint-friendly medicinal plants, which have been tested in human studies:Arnica montana, Boswelliaspp.,Curcumaspp.,Equisetum arvense, Harpagophytum procumbens,Salixspp.,Sesamum indicum,Symphytum officinalis,Zingiber officinalis,Panax notoginseng, andWhitania somnifera.
authors.affiliation: Medical Semiology Department, Faculty of General Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, B-dul "Eroilor Sanitari" nr. 8, Sector 6, 76241 Bucharest, Romania. dordrag@drdorindragos.ro.|Nephrology Clinic, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, 050098 Bucharest, Romania. dordrag@drdorindragos.ro.
authors.forename: Dorin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dragos
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of General Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, B-dul "Eroilor Sanitari" nr. 8, Sector 6, 76241 Bucharest, Romania. marilenagilca@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marilena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilca
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of General Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, B-dul "Eroilor Sanitari" nr. 8, Sector 6, 76241 Bucharest, Romania. glauraelena@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gaman
authors.affiliation: Physiology Department, Faculty of General Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, B-dul "Eroilor Sanitari" nr. 8, Sector 6, 76241 Bucharest, Romania. adelina_munteanu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Adelina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vlad
authors.affiliation: R&D IRIST LABMED SRL, Str. Miraslau, nr. 24, Sector 3, 031235 Bucharest, Romania. iristlabmed@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Liviu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iosif
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of General Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, B-dul "Eroilor Sanitari" nr. 8, Sector 6, 76241 Bucharest, Romania. irina.stoian@umf.ro.|R&D IRIST LABMED SRL, Str. Miraslau, nr. 24, Sector 3, 031235 Bucharest, Romania. irina.stoian@umf.ro.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stoian
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic and Trauma Clinic 2, Faculty of General Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020022 Bucharest, Romania. olivera_lupescu@yahoo.com.|Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest, 014461 Bucharest, Romania. olivera_lupescu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Olivera
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lupescu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations
keywords: herbs; medicinal plants; osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis