Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment in the Sikkim Himalaya, India

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that significantly impairs quality of life and currently lacks fully effective conventional treatments without side effects. Traditional medicinal plants offer promising alternative or complementary therapeutic options, particularly among indigenous populations with rich ethnobotanical knowledge.

Methods: This ethnobotanical study documents the use of medicinal plants for RA management by inhabitants of the Sikkim Himalaya, India, an ecologically diverse and culturally unique region. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires administered to 87 informants, including traditional healers and knowledgeable villagers across all four districts of Sikkim, encompassing a broad altitudinal gradient.

Results: A total of 33 plant species representing 24 families and 28 genera were identified as important for RA treatment. Notably, Equisetum diffusum exhibited the highest relative frequency of citation (RFC = 0.138), underscoring its therapeutic significance in this region. The predominant plant parts utilized were rhizomes and barks, with traditional remedies most commonly administered topically to affected joints, supplemented by oral applications in selected cases. Ethnomedicinal uses align with existing pharmacological evidence demonstrating anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of several documented species.

Conclusions: This study contributes valuable baseline data for future pharmacological validation, conservation policymaking, and integration of traditional knowledge into sustainable RA management strategies.

Keywords: Ethno-medicine, Ethno-botanical survey, Rheumatoid arthritis, Sikkim Himalaya, Traditional medicine