Multi-target Mechanism of Action of Curcumin in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Clinical Application

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has become a common disease that poses a significant threat to human health, and its conventional therapeutic approaches exhibit certain limitations. In recent years, increasing attention has been directed toward the clinical application and underlying mechanisms of Curcumin in the treatment of RA. This article presents a literature review that systematically summarizes the pathogenesis of RA, the pharmacological properties of curcumin, its mechanisms of action in RA, as well as relevant clinical studies and their application within the framework of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation. Existing evidence suggests that curcumin can effectively alleviate clinical symptoms in patients with RA and improve overall therapeutic outcomes. Its core mechanisms are primarily associated with the modulation of anti-inflammatory pathways. Meanwhile, the majority of studies have validated its role as a foundational therapeutic agent. In conclusion, curcumin demonstrates a certain degree of feasibility in the treatment of RA; however, further high-quality clinical trials are required to verify its safety and to strengthen the evidence base for its clinical feasibility.