Therapeutic potential of aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands derived from natural products in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune‐mediated inflammatory disease, which is characterized by chronic synovitis, progressive bone destruction and reduced mobility. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand‐dependent transcription factor, has been shown to regulate the differentiation, activation and apoptosis of various cells involved in rheumatoid arthritis. The ligands of AhR such as tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin, benzo[a]pyrene and...