Pharmacist’s Evaluation of Natural Ingredients in Topical Products for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can lead to chronic pain and joint deformity. First line treatment includes disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) slow disease progression, but RA patients are often left with debilitating symptoms. This article explores alternative topical naturally based options treat symptoms, supporting evidence for their use. Considered include Aloe vera, Perillyl Alcohol (POH), Aleurites moluccana, Calendula officinalis extract (quercetin), Achyranthes species, Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu, Curcumin (turmeric), Wutou, Radix paeoniae (Paeoniflorin), Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWHF), Capsaicin, Cannabinoids (CBD), Berberine. Many of these products show promising data supplemental through various mechanisms, CBD TWHF having the most robust