Radiographic Progression and Histopathologic Correlation of Adjuvant Arthritis Ameliorated by Boswellia serrata

Abstract

Boswellia serrata is an Indian herb known for its potent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties in ancient folk medicine. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-arthritic potential of Boswellia serrata on radiographic joint damage and histopathology of adjuvant-induced arthritis. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups with six rats each. While group 1 served as normal control, arthritis was induced in animals belonging to groups 2 (arthritic control); 3, 4 and 5 (treatment groups) by injecting 0.1 ml of Freund's complete adjuvant, intradermally into the hind foot pad. Treatment protocol was followed from 3rd to 21st day, with Boswellia serrata given orally as methanolic extract @ 500 mg/kg b.wt. to group 3, meloxicam given subcutaneously @1 mg/kg b.wt. to group 4 and both the drugs given concurrently to group 5. The onset and progression of arthritis were assessed weekly by radiographic interpretation. The drug effects were evaluated on the histopathology after completion of the experiment. The extent of paw inflammation before treatment and its subsequent amelioration after treatment were noticed in groups 3, 4 and 5 Boswellia serrata showed better amelioration compared to meloxicam with a superior curative effect witnessed when both the drugs were administered together. The significant alleviation of joint damage in adjuvant-induced arthritis may be attributed to the pharmacologically active principles present in the extracts of Boswellia serrata.