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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term autoimmune disorder involving various inflammatory processes that mainly affect the foot and hand joints. It strikes between the ages of 40–70 and often leads to pain and deformity. The pathogenesis of RA still remains unclear, but various genetic factors and environmental factors are thought to be responsible for the initiation of inflammation processes. Uncontrolled inflammation arises due to uncontrolled production and activity of proinflammatory cytokines in the joint, which leads to bone erosion and cartilage destruction. The increased level of proinflammatory cytokines, TNFα, IL-1, IL-17, IL-6, and the resulting inflammation is responsible for the pain, tenderness, swelling, redness, and stiffness of joints. Thymoquinone is a phytochemical shown to be responsible for the majority of the therapeutic benefits of Nigella sativa, popularly known as black seed or black cumin and used as a spice in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It has received enormous attention due to its pleiotropic pharmacological activities. It has also been shown to be beneficial against rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disease. The mechanism of action in reducing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis includes inhibition of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes; inhibition of elastase and myeloperoxidase; inhibition of lipid peroxidation; inhibition of nitric oxide; and attenuation of the induction release of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, Il-6, and TNF-α. Based on the available literature, it's evident that thymoquinone has the potential to attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation. Available studies results suggest that thymoquinone can be a promising drug candidate for further pharmaceutical development in future.

This review confirms that naringenin is having a beneficial and protective effect on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It has been proven that naringenin acts through different mechanisms to cure RA by inhibiting various inflammatory processes. Therefore, a potent pharmaceutical preparation of naringenin should be prepared and clinical trials should be carried out in RA patients to ensure its therapeutic efficacy.