1.

0 INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune disease which involves activation of CD4 T

cell. It affects joints and causes pannus formation (Zhao, 2015). The exact cause behind
RA is not yet known but it has been determined that it involves a lot of environmental as
well as genetic factors. Apart from joints, this disease may affect other organs also
(Majithia, 2007).

Madhuca indica is a plant of Indian origin and has remarkable pharmacological activity.
It is locally known as Mahua. The tribes of central India use it to treat arthritic pain and
rheumatoid arthritis. Other ailments treated by it include snake-bite, debility, tonsillitis,
influenza, piles, arthritic pain, helminthiasis, low semen count, headache (Patel et al.,
2012).

Bioinformatic tools have enabled studying of protein-ligand interaction with high levels
of precision and accuracy. These tools have empowered us to determine drugs and plant
molecules which could be used against specific proteins of diseases. In this research, an
effort has been made to find molecules present in Madhuca indica which could act
against RA proteins. In-silico approach to do the same has been used.