Abstract

Essential Oils (EO) have been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to their aromatic and medicinal properties. Extracted from aromatic plants through methods like water distillation and supercritical extraction, EO consists of volatile terpenes and hydrocarbons, which are responsible for their biological activities. In traditional medicine, these oils have been used for the treatment of various ailments. As holistic practices have gained popularity in modern medicine, there has been research into the mechanisms of action of the active ingredients of EO, revealing significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects. Although EO show potential in modulating inflammation, studies exploring their use in RA treatment remain limited. This paper reviews the current literature on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of eucalyptus, cinnamon, citronella, and pine essential oils, and evaluates their potential as complementary treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. By bridging traditional practices with evidence-based medicine, we aim to explore new possibilities for managing this debilitating condition.

Keywords:Essential oils; Anti-inflammatory; Analgesic; Eucalyptus; Cinnamon; Citronella; Pine; Medicinal effects

Abbreviation:EO: Essential Oils; RA: Rheumatoid Arthritis; TNF-α: Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha; IL- 1: Interleukin-1; IL-6: Interleukin-6; NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs; DMARDs: Disease- Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs; COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; MAPK: Mitogen- Activated Protein Kinase; NF-kB: Nuclear Factor Kappa Light Chain Enhancer of Activated B Cells; IL-17: Interleukin-17; IL-1B: Interleukin-1B; 5-LOX: 5-Lipoxygenase; COX: Cyclooxygenase; IL-4: Interleukin-4; IL-10: Interleukin-10; KC: Keratinocyte-Derived Cytokine; TLR-4: Toll-Like Receptor 4; MMP-9: Matrix- Metalloproteinase-9; Egr-1: Early Growth Response Factor 1; TRP: Transient Receptor Potential; P2X: Purine 2X; DPPH: 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl; ABTS: 2,2’-Azino-Bis(3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6- Sulfonic Acid); iNOS: Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthesis; NO: Nitric Oxide; PGE2: Prostaglandin E2; MDA: Malondialdehyde; MPO: Myeloperoxidase: LPS: Lipopolysaccharide; TGF-Β: Transforming Growth Factor-Beta; ERK: Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase; JNK: Jun N-Terminal Kinase; NLRP3: Nucleotide- Binding Domain Leucine-Rich-Containing Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing-3; cGMP: Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate; ACPA: Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibodies: IFN-γ: Interferon-Gamma.