Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39974740›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in pharmacology2025

Effects of plant active substances in rheumatoid arthritis-a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Qiuwei Peng, Jian Wang, Kesong Li, Congming Xia, Chuanhui Yao, Qiuyan Guo, Xun Gong, Xiaopo Tang, Quan Jiang

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in pharmacology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Qiuwei Peng *Department of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Jian Wang *Department of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Kesong Li *Department of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Congming XiaDepartment of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Chuanhui YaoDepartment of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Qiuyan GuoState Key Laboratory for Quality Ensurance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Xun GongDepartment of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Xiaopo TangDepartment of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Quan JiangDepartment of Rheumatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Plant active substances are extensively utilized in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite numerous experimental and clinical studies on plant active substances their efficacy remains largely unsubstantiated. The widespread use of these extracts as therapeutic measures for RA is problematic due to the lack of compelling evidence. Objective: Our research aims to assess the impact of plant active substances on RA by conducting a network meta-analysis. Methods: We systematically searched four electronic databases-PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science-from their inception to August 2024. The main focus was on assessing primary outcomes, including the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), inflammatory markers, Swollen Joint Count (SJC), Tender Joint Count (TJC), and Disease Activity Score on 28 joints (DAS28). We performed data analysis using StataMP 15.1 software and ranked the therapeutic effects based on the Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA) probability values. Results: Based on screening procedures, 18 eligible studies were incorporated into the analysis. These studies encompassed a total of 1,674 RA patients and investigated 10 different plant active substance therapies. Specifically, 10 studies included VAS indicators, 17 studies included inflammatory marker indicators, 14 studies included DAS28 indicators, 13 studies included SJC indicators, and 13 studies included TJC indicators. Based on SUCRA values, quercetin appeared to be the most effective treatment for decreasing serum VAS levels (67.3%). Furthermore, curcumin emerged as the most promising option for reducing inflammatory marker levels (72.3%), SJC (75.6%), and TJC (76.2%). Lastly, with respect to DAS28, resveratrol emerged as the optimal choice (74.3%). Conclusion: According to the network meta-analysis (NMA), curcumin exhibited superior efficacy compared to placebo in decreasing SJC and TJC. Additionally, curcumin demonstrated greater effectiveness in reducing inflammatory markers. Quercetin was more effective in reducing VAS, and resveratrol was more effective in reducing DAS28. Patients with RA may benefit from these findings. Insightful information from this study is helpful for RA patients to consider using plant active substance therapies. For their efficacy and safety to be confirmed, more proof is needed.

Indexed as

curcuminplant active substancesquercetinresveratrolrheumatoid arthritissystematic review and meta-analysis

Identifiers

PMID39974740
PMCPMC11835909

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.