Moringa as a Functional Food for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Scoping Review of Evidence.

Background/

Objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by persistent synovitis and joint destruction. While conventional pharmacotherapies, such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, are effective, they are often limited by significant adverse effects and high costs. Moringa, a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds, has emerged as a potential functional food adjunct for managing this condition. This scoping review systematically maps the evidence regarding the efficacy of moringa supplementation in alleviating the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed using a standardised search string to identify original articles investigating the effects of moringa on models of or patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Results

A total of 19 eligible studies, comprising in vitro models, preclinical animal studies, and human clinical trials, were included. Phytochemical profiling revealed the presence of potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant constituents, including flavonoids and isothiocyanates, in various plant parts. Preclinical findings demonstrated that moringa extracts significantly inhibited paw oedema, pannus formation, and cartilage erosion by downregulating proinflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6) and suppressing nuclear factor kappa B signalling. Clinical trials corroborated these benefits, showing that moringa leaf extracts were associated with reduced disease activity scores and systemic inflammatory markers in patients. Additionally, moringa supplementation alleviated depression associated with rheumatoid arthritis, suggesting a dual therapeutic impact.

Conclusions

The current evidence supports moringa as a promising functional food adjunct, though further standardised trials are warranted to establish optimal dosing and clinical guidelines.