A new study from Brazil has shown that a coastal plant called Joseph’s Coat (Alternanthera littoralis) may help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and protect against arthritis.
The plant has been used for generations in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat infections and inflammation, but until now, there was little scientific proof to support these uses.
Researchers from three major Brazilian universities—the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and São Paulo State University (UNESP)—worked together to find out if the plant was both safe and effective. Their findings were published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
The research started with a close look at the chemical makeup of the plant. Scientists used a special process to extract compounds from the plant’s leaves and stems using ethanol, a common alcohol. They found a range of active substances believed to have health benefits. This part of the study was led by Marcos Salvador, a pharmacist at UNICAMP.
Next, the team tested how the extract worked in reducing inflammation using laboratory models of arthritis. These tests showed that the plant helped reduce swelling, protect joint tissue, and may have antioxidant effects.
Animals treated with the plant extract had less joint damage and better signs of recovery. According to Arielle Cristina Arena, a professor at UNESP who led the safety studies, the plant appeared to lower key markers of inflammation and improved overall joint health.
Importantly, the extract showed a good safety profile at the doses used in the experiments. This means that, at least in lab animals, the plant extract did not cause harmful side effects. However, the researchers stressed that this does not mean the extract is ready for human use just yet.
More work needs to be done. Future studies will need to test the extract in human clinical trials, ensure the product can be made safely and consistently, and gain approval from health authorities before it can be used as medicine.
Still, these results are promising. They give scientific support to the plant’s traditional use and show that Brazil’s native plants may hold important benefits for health and medicine. The researchers say their goal is to combine traditional knowledge with solid science to make sure natural products are used safely and effectively.
This study is part of a broader effort by Brazilian universities to protect local biodiversity while unlocking the potential of natural medicines. With more research, Joseph’s Coat could become a valuable option for treating inflammation and arthritis in the future.
If you care about arthritis, please read studies about extra virgin olive oil for arthritis, and pomegranate: A natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
For more information about arthritis, please see recent studies about how to live pain-free with arthritis, and results showing medical cannabis may help reduce arthritis pain, back pain.
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