But the scientists said they are still trying to determine the amount of alcohol humans should take to have the same effect.
However, arthritis experts from the U.K. expressed doubt on the relevance of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science study findings for treating human disease.
A moderate intake of alcohol has been shown to benefit people in a number of ways including lowering the risk of heart disease. Drinking too much, however, could cause complications including liver damage.
Researchers from the Gothenburg University gave mice injections of collagen to induce rheumatoid arthritis. For six to eight weeks, the mice were given either untreated tap water, or water with 10 percent pure alcohol.
The team found that the mice given the alcohol, RA developed significantly more slowly and have less sever symptoms once the disease start to progress.
The researchers concluded that alcohol may increase production of the male hormone testosterone.
The team also found that acetaldehyde, which is formed when the body processes alcohol, can produce similar protective effects.
Professor Andrzej Tarkowski, head of the research team said, "We can't translate these results to find out the therapeutic dose in humans.
"The mice were given a dose of 10 percent of alcohol in their water, but we don't know if it would be the same for humans. It would probably be lower. One possibility would be to use acetaldehyde, which produced similar effects, but which could provide an alternative non-addictive treatment."
