Efficacy of Siddha formulation Kalpaamruthaa in ameliorating joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis in rats

Inflammation and ROS in arthritis: management by Ayurvedic medicinal plants

Chronic joint inflammatory disorders like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which are manifested by joint dysfunction, show an upsurge in inflammation and oxidative stress. Although conventional anti-arthritic drugs are being used to relieve pain from arthritic symptoms, they usually cause severe side effects. Traditionally used Ayurvedic medicinal plants are a promising alternative for the management of arthritic symptoms, as they are safe and effective. Ayurvedic medicinal plants improve arthritic symptoms by reducing joint tenderness, joint pain, swelling, bone and cartilage damage, and increasing knee flexion, walking distance and sports activities. These beneficial effects of Ayurvedic medicinal plants on arthritis are mediated through various cellular mechanisms including inhibition of the inflammatory markers NF-κB, cytokines, adipokines, PGE2, NO, iNOS, COX-2, and MMPs and induction of antioxidant status by decreasing free radicals, lipid peroxidation, and myeloperoxidase, and increasing antioxidant enzymes, Nrf2, and HO-1. Thus, a strategy requires using these Ayurvedic medicinal plants to treat arthritis. This article describes the status of inflammation and oxidative stress in arthritic conditions. We also provide evidence that Ayurvedic medicinal plants and their bioactive components are highly effective in improving arthritic symptoms.

Ameliorative effect of Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm., an ethnomedicinal plant, in arthritic animals

Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm., is an ethnomedicinal plant used widely in Tamil Nadu to treat arthritis. The present study was aimed to evaluate the traditional claim of D. quercifolia rhizome water extract in adjuvant induced arthritic animals. Anti-arthritic effect was studied by assessing the levels of lysosomal enzymes, protein bound carbohydrates, urinary degradative collagen and serum cytokines on control and adjuvant induced arthritis. The paw swelling and body weight were also analyzed. The levels of ROS and lysosomal enzymes in neutrophils of control and adjuvant induced animals were also estimated. D. quercifolia rhizome water extract at doses of 100 and 200mg/kg reduced the paw thickness and elevated the mean body weight of arthritic rats. The treatment with extract showed a significant reduction in the levels of plasma and liver lysosomal enzymes as well as protein bound carbohydrates and urinary degradative collagen levels. The treatment reduced the levels of ROS and lysosomal enzymes in neutrophils significantly. The significant reduction in the levels of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) and the increment in the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) were also observed by the treatment. The present study supports the traditional claim of using D. quercifolia to treat rheumatism.

Ameliorative effect of p-coumaric acid, a common dietary phenol, on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats

p-Coumaric acid (3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoic acid), a common dietary polyphenol, is widely distributed in cereals, fruits and vegetables with antioxidant property. Numerous studies have enlightened the ability of dietary phenols to be considered as potential therapeutics against arthritis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of plant phenolic p-coumaric acid on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. The reference drug indomethacin was used for comparison purposes. Arthritis was induced in rats by a single intradermal injection of complete freund's adjuvant (0.1 mL) into the foot pad of right hind paw. p-Coumaric acid (100 mg/kg b wt) and indomethacin (3 mg/kg b wt) were administered intraperitoneally for 8 days from day 11 to 18 after adjuvant injection. An increase in the activities/levels of lysosomal enzymes, tissue marker enzymes, glycoproteins and paw thickness was observed in the arthritic rats, on the contrary, the body weight was found to be reduced in arthritic rats when compared to normal control rats. Administration of p-coumaric acid (100 mg/kg b wt) to the arthritic rats reverted back the altered physical and biochemical parameters to near normal levels comparable to indomethacin treatment. Histopathological evaluation of ankle joints in arthritic rats also revealed the anti-inflammatory effect of p-coumaric acid by the reduction in leukocytes infiltration. Thus, the present study clearly demonstrates the anti-inflammatory potential of the p-coumaric acid against adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.