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Polyherbal Formula Eases Joint Inflammation In Arthritic Rats

A traditional herbal combination lowered inflammatory markers and reduced joint swelling in rats with induced arthritis, a new study found.

By Dr. Axe Editorial Team · October 21, 2026 · 1 source · Watch

Photo: Pexels

A polyherbal formulation called Triphalaguggul reduced inflamed knee swelling by 96.15% and paw swelling by 95.18% in rats with induced arthritis, according to a study published October 13, 2026 in Biogerontology.

96%less knee swelling

95%less paw edema

Researchers tested Triphalaguggul, a polyherbal formulation, in rats with osteoarthritis induced by a knee-damaging chemical (MIA) and rheumatoid arthritis induced by another irritant (CFA). After treatment, inflamed knee swelling fell by 96.15% and paw swelling fell by 95.18%, and chondrocytes, the cartilage-forming cells in joints, showed proper regrowth and rearrangement in the osteoarthritis model. Blood markers that rise with arthritis and liver stress, including SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase, C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor, returned to normal ranges after treatment. Lab tests (ELISA) showed that three inflammatory signaling proteins, IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, decreased after treatment, and three cell-signaling proteins tied to chronic inflammation, p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and NFκB/p65, were also reduced, confirmed with two additional lab techniques.

IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta are immune-signaling proteins that drive joint inflammation, and JAK/STAT and NFκB are cellular pathways that amplify it once triggered. Lower levels of all of them in treated rats fit the drop in swelling, but the study measured these changes rather than proving cause and effect.

Drop in inflamed knee swelling in arthritic rats

Biogerontology, 2026, Dey et al.

This was an animal study using rat models of induced arthritis, not a human clinical trial, so the dose, formulation and outcomes have not been verified in people. The abstract does not report sample size, specific herb ratios, or dosing details beyond the toxicology screen.

Dr. Axe’s Take

Knee swelling fell 96% in these rats, along with lower IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, but this is rat data, not proof the formula works the same way in people. I wouldn't treat Triphalaguggul as a proven arthritis therapy yet. If you have arthritis and want to try an herbal formula, talk with a practitioner who knows Ayurvedic herbs and your doctor first.

— Dr. Axe

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Study summary

Who: Rats with chemically induced osteoarthritis (MIA model) and rheumatoid arthritis (CFA model); sample size not reported in abstract
Design: Animal toxicology and efficacy study testing a polyherbal formulation against induced joint inflammation
Dose: Not reported in abstract
Primary result: 96.15% reduction in inflamed knee swelling and 95.18% reduction in paw edema after treatment
Secondary: IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta decreased; p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and NFκB/p65 downregulated; liver and inflammatory blood markers (SGPT, SGOT, AlkP, CRP, RF) returned to normal range
Funding / conflicts: Funder listed in the journal record: Department of Biotechnology, Government of West Bengal. Conflict statement in the PubMed record: The authors proclaimed no conflict of interest.
Date: Oct 13, 2026