In vivo Studies on Antiarthritic Activity of Cissus quadrangularis against Adjuvant Induced Arthritis

Abstract

Objective: Arthritis is a chronic crippling, skeletal and muscular disorder having quite similar symptoms as that of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for which currently there is no medicine available for permanent cure. Even modern drugs used for the amelioration of the symptoms, offer only temporary relief but produce severe side effects. In the indigenous system of medicine, Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) has been reported to be useful in the treatment of arthritis. However, no systematic study had been reported regarding its anti-arthritic activity. Hence, this work has been aimed at the scientific validation of its ethno-pharmacological claim about anti-arthritic efficacy. Methods: In the present study, anti-arthritic activity of AFCQ (Active Fraction of Cissus quadrangularis) obtained from acetone extract of Cissus quadrangularis has been reported by employing CFA (Complete Freund's Adjuvant) induced arthritis model in Wistar rats as an in vivo experimental model. Rat paw edema was induced by carrageenan and altered hematological and biochemical parameters were determined. Results: AFCQ at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight was found to be more efficient in inhibiting the rat paw edema as comparable to standard drugs celecoxib and methotrexate. The results had indicated that AFCQ possesses a significant anti-arthritic activity against CFA induced arthritis. Results were analyzed through histopathology and radiography. Conclusion: The results of above experiments revealed that AFCQ was more effective as anti-arthritic drug as compared to celecoxib and methotrexate, in CFA induced arthritic rats.