Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of ethanol extract of P. granatum against arthritis in rat model.
 Methods: Twenty-six adult male Wistar rats (120 - 150 g) were separated into four groups (n = 6): normal control, arthritic control and two treatment groups. With the exception of normal control group, arthritis was induced by intraplantar administration of Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) on the 1st day of drug administration. The arthritic control group was not treated, while the treatment groups received extract orally at 500 or 750 mg/kg for the period of 4 weeks and at the end of each week, paw volume, thermal hyperalgesia, arthritic score and mechanical nociceptive threshold were performed to assess arthritis. Biochemical indicators and inflammatory cytokines in serum were determined using standard procedures.
 Results: There was significant decrease in paw volume and arthritic score; paw withdrawal latency was enhanced in extract-treated groups, compared to arthritic control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, ALT, AST and ALP levels, as well as RF and MDA activities decreased significantly with extract treatment, compared with arthritic control group (p < 0.05). Treatment with the extract attenuated the altered level of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and TNF-α levels in arthritic rats. Histological examination showed that treatment with the extract significantly reversed histological changes induced by arthritis.
 Conclusion: The results reveal that the beneficial effect of ethanol extract of P. granatum against FCAinduced arthritis is due to its ability to reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines.
Highlights
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder which affects about 1 % of the world’s population [1]
The activity of marker enzymes and values of RF and MDA were enhanced in arthritic control group than to normal control group
Tissue section of knee joint of normal control rats revealed clearly visible articular cavity and smooth articular cartilage surface without pathological alteration or infiltration of inflammatory cells in the synovium. Histopathological changes such as hyperplasia of capillary, infiltration of inflammatory cells, changes in the structure of sub-synovial collagen fiber and thickening of extracellular matrix were observed in the arthritic control group
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder which affects about 1 % of the world’s population [1] It is a systemic, inflammatory, symmetric and chronic disorder characterized by rheumatoid pannus and articular inflammation which leads to destruction of bones and cartilages [2,3]. Development of arthritis was assessed in the rats by paw volume, thermal hyperalgesia, arthritic score, mechanical nociceptive threshold on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 of treatment using a plethysmometer. The aim of present investigation was to determine the beneficial effect of extract of P. granatum against arthritis. Twenty-six adult male Wistar rats were separated into four groups (n=6): normal control, arthritic control group and two treatment groups. With the exception of normal control group, arthritis was induced in the rats using Freund’s complete adjuvant (0.1 ml) which was injected on. Significance considered for the value having p < 0.05
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
