The Sri Lankan Ayurveda and traditional medicine formula Nawarathne Kalka (NK) has been excessively used in Ayurveda and traditional medicine systems in Sri Lanka for more than hundreds of years for various ailments with different adjuvants or vehicles (Anupana). It is mainly used as an antiinflammatory and immune-enhancing drug for arthritic conditions in the Sri Lankan medical system. The aim of this review is to analyze the phytochemical and pharmacological profiles of plants that are constituents of NK and to analyze the mechanisms in which they play an antiarthritic, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant role in rheumatoid arthritis. This review confirmed that this traditional polyherbal formula contains a good combination of plants that correlates with novel drug mechanism pathways for ameliorating arthritic conditions. In conclusion, these traditional medicines and indigenous knowledge should be further studied for novel clinical natural product developments.
