Hyderabad: Bamboo rice, the edible seeds of Bambusa arundinacea, demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in a study conducted on laboratory rats which were experimentally induced with rheumatoid arthritis by researchers from the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad.The study, led by Rajendran Ananthan from the division of food chemistry, appeared in the May 2025 edition of ‘Food and Humanity of Science Direct’. It examined the impact of bamboo rice on live Wistar rats induced with arthritis.Though these findings are limited to animal models, they support traditional beliefs among tribal communities in India’s Southwestern Ghats, where bamboo rice is used to manage joint pain and inflammation. The authors emphasise that while the data point toward therapeutic value, further studies are required to explore the bioavailability and specific mechanisms of action of the grain’s active compounds.Over 55 days, the rats were given diets containing varying proportions of bamboo rice flour, alongside standard treatment with indomethacin. Researchers observed significant reductions in paw swelling, improved body weight, and normalised spleen indices in rats treated with bamboo rice. Histological examination of ankle joints confirmed a reduction in pannus formation, synovial hyperplasia, and inflammation. Radiological and biochemical tests supported these results.Gene expression analysis revealed that bamboo rice suppressed levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a cytokine associated with inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. The grain’s rich phytochemical content, including flavonoids and phytosterols, was identified as a likely contributor to its observed therapeutic effects.The study also examined the influence of bamboo rice on serum Rheumatoid Factor (RF), an important marker in the diagnosis and progression of rheumatoid arthritis. While baseline RF levels in arthritic rats were only modestly elevated, medium and high-dose bamboo rice groups showed a significant reduction. This aligns with the outcomes of similar studies involving natural plant extracts.This preliminary research offers a scientific basis for the traditional use of bamboo rice and suggests its potential role as a dietary intervention in managing rheumatoid arthritis.