The Potential Therapeutic Benefit of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Supplements as Adjuvant Therapy in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Comprehensive Review | ||
| Archives of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ain Shams University | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 15 November 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Review Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/aps.2025.394300.1232 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Nourhan N Elsherif* 1; May Ahmed Shawki2; Ghada A Shousha3; Nagwa Sabri2 | ||
| 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt | ||
| 3Pediatrics and Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University Cairo, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is one of the most prevalent rheumatologic disorders affecting children. It is characterized by progressive joint damage and chronic synovial inflammation that primarily arise from oxidative stress and immune dysregulation. While conventional therapies, including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids, have improved disease outcomes, challenges such as adverse effects, high costs, and incomplete remission persist. Recently, natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory dietary supplements exhibit potential as adjunctive therapies alongside standard treatments. This review presents current evidence on bioactive supplements, specifically coenzyme Q10, omega-3 fatty acids, and curcumin, evaluating their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in the context of chronic autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults and JIA in pediatrics. The shared pathophysiological features between RA and JIA, notably inflammation, cytokine overexpression, and redox imbalance, underscore the rationale for nutraceutical intervention. Drawing on mechanistic insights, preclinical and clinical studies, and meta-analyses primarily from RA literature, this article bridges critical gaps in pediatric research by extrapolating findings to the JIA population. The review features robust evidence supporting these agents’ efficacy in modulating proinflammatory cytokines, reducing oxidative biomarkers, and improving disease activity scores. Importantly, early clinical trials in JIA demonstrate promising benefits with omega-3s and curcumin, showing reductions in severity scores and inflammatory markers without added toxicity. By presenting a critical analysis of existing data and identifying key gaps, this article lays the foundation for future pediatric trials and personalized, adjunctive strategies that may enhance disease management and quality of life in pediatric patients with JIA. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Juvenile idiopathic arthritis; pediatrics; antioxidant; anti-inflammatory; dietary supplement; nutraceutical; rheumatoid arthritis | ||
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