Evidence supporting the use of: Abrus
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Abrus, most commonly referring to Abrus precatorius (commonly known as jequirity, rosary pea, or Indian licorice), has a long-standing place in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. In these traditions, Abrus seeds and leaves have been used for a variety of ailments, including inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The rationale for its use is based on its purported anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, rather than robust scientific validation.

Some studies have isolated bioactive compounds from Abrus seeds, such as abrine and abrin, which have shown anti-inflammatory effects in animal models. However, these studies are preliminary and limited; moreover, the seeds are highly toxic due to the presence of abrin, a potent ribosome-inactivating protein. The extreme toxicity of the seeds places significant constraints on their therapeutic use, and there is a lack of well-controlled human clinical trials evaluating efficacy or safety for RA.

Overall, the use of Abrus for rheumatoid arthritis is primarily justified by traditional practices, with some low-level preclinical evidence but no substantial clinical validation. Due to the risk of severe toxicity, its use is not recommended in modern evidence-based medical practice.

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