Making Chronic Disease Treatment Natural: Phytocompounds and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Written by Justin Gambill
Edited by Khushi Shah
February 9th, 2023
Edited by Khushi Shah
February 9th, 2023
Health & Wellness
Autoimmune diseases are common medical issues that exist without prior knowledge of their origins; the cellular mechanisms are often complex, and thus treatment options often are absent. Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of the most of these diseases, with new methods of treatment are always constantly entering the medical sphere . For instance, new research shows that lactate (a common byproduct of metabolism), is the main cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms, where natural plant-produced compounds could be a new source of treatment (1).
Lactate is a common product in metabolism under anaerobic conditions and is both a catalyst and a biomarker for Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis (1).The mechanism lies primarily in its incorporation with the immune system. High levels of lactate serve as blocks towards lactate dehydrogenase (protein that breaks down the compound) and lactate transmembrane ion channels (protein that draws in lactate into T-immune cells). If these immune cells take in a large amount of lactate, then they are converted into T-cells that secrete a compound called Interleukin-17 (IL-17), which is the main culprit in joint inflammation (2). Lactate plays a role in the generation of palmitate (a fatty acid), which stimulates the transcription of the gene coding for the production of IL-17 producing T-Cells.
Likely the easiest way to treat RA is to target both the production and transport of lactate. Many naturally occurring plant compounds possess the capability to inhibit one or both of these processes, and provide avenues into further research to develop a new, safe method for RA treatment that reduces the need for harsh, synthetic chemicals (1). Gossypol, a product from cotton plants, is one compound that is known to prevent the production of tumors by inhibiting the enzymes that produce lactate. If the amount of lactate is reduced, then the concentration of T-Cells that transition into their disease causing state is greatly reduced, limiting the inflammation effects of RA.1,3,4 Another compound, resveratrol, commonly produced by wine grapes, also affects the production of lactate; however, it affects the enzyme in the metabolic step before the actual synthesis of lactate, thereby limiting the lactate production pathway itself (1). Cucurmin, found in ginger roots, carries the capability to prevent the transport of lactate by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for transporting glucose in and out of cell membranes (1). commonly seen as a potential remedy in controlling healthy blood sugar levels, which is a property that could be utilized to limit the amount of glucose that could potentially be transported into the cell to be transformed into lactate (5).
Compounds such as the ones mentioned provide a safe, effective, and inexpensive way to treat chronic, potentially debilitating illness (1).Further research into their abilities to affect the inflammatory response of RA is necessary to fully harness the potential of these compounds, as well as their relative toxicity levels within the body when introduced in amounts higher than dietarily available. Nonetheless, increasing the methods by which disease is treated by utilizing compounds found in our everyday foods greatly increases the accessibility of medicine.
Image Source: Jill Wellington licensed under Pixabay License