London (PTI): Suffering from rheumatoid arthritis? Well, your doctor might not agree but you could try out rosehips as an alternative treatment.

A new study by Swiss researchers has suggested that a herbal medicine made from rosehips may regenerate joints in people who are crippled by arthritis -- it can protect the cartilage cells, which facilitate joint movement.

In fact, according to them, the rosehips are one of nature's richest sources of vitamin C and as a result improve activity levels by damping down an over-active immune system, the Daily Mail reported.

In their study, the researchers from the department of human nutrition and health in Basel actually looked at the action of the sugary fatty acid GOPO, the active ingredient in the rosehip supplement LitoZin.

They measured the effects of different doses on human cartilage cells and found GOPO switched off genes responsible for producing proteins and enzymes, which have been implicated in inflammatory joint destruction.

It also switched on genes that help produce collagen and cartilage, essential components of a healthy joint, the study revealed. The findings have been presented at the Osteoarthritis Research Society's International World Congress in Rome.