What is it about?
This study looks at whether Rhodiola rosea, a plant best known for helping the body cope with stress, could also support treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a painful condition that damages joints. Researchers tested Rhodiola extract alone and together with methotrexate, one of the main drugs used for arthritis, in experimental models. The extract by itself gave only modest improvements, but when combined with a low dose of methotrexate it reduced joint swelling, improved weight gain, and lowered important markers of inflammation in the blood. The findings suggest that natural compounds may strengthen the effect of standard medicines and help limit side effects.
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Why is it important?
People with arthritis often face drug side effects or find that treatments lose effectiveness over time. This work shows that a simple plant extract could make methotrexate more effective while allowing for lower doses of the drug. The results point to a new strategy that blends herbal medicine with conventional therapy and could improve the lives of people living with chronic inflammatory diseases.
Perspectives
What excites me about this research is the way it reimagines a well-known plant as more than a stress remedy. Seeing Rhodiola rosea work alongside a standard drug highlights how traditional medicine and modern science can complement each other. To me, this study represents a move toward safer, more balanced treatments that put patient well-being first.
Dr. Rosa Direito
Universidade de Lisboa
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Rhodiola rosea L. Extract, a Known Adaptogen, Evaluated in Experimental Arthritis, Molecules, June 2023, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28135053.
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