Role of natural antioxidants and potential use of bergamot in treating rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of the present review is to report about the effect of natural compounds, with proved antioxidant activity and mainly introduced with diet, on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder leading to cartilage damage, bone erosions, joint destruction and impaired movement. The pathophysiology of RA includes reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which is concomitant with inflammation and provokes a wide range of toxic reactions, like lipid peroxidation, inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes and modifications of membrane transport proteins. Since the development of effective therapeutic strategies to counteract RA is still in progress, the present review is intended to add more information about the possible role of natural antioxidant compounds in treating RA with a good balance between efficacy and toxicity. Natural products with proved anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions such as ()-epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol, oleuropein, quercetin and the flavonoid fraction of bergamot juice are here being reviewed, with specific regard to their possible antioxidant therapeutic action against RA.