Anti-arthritic potential of Biophytum sensitivum in Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis in rats

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common inflammatory disorders affecting the population worldwide. Herbal treatments are gaining popularity as complementary alternative medications among patients due to their potential benefits and minimal side effects. Biophytum sensitivum is known traditionally to possess a wide spectrum of medicinal properties and used in various inflammatory diseases such as asthma, ulcerative colitis and arthritis. The methanolic extract of Biophytum sensitivum is reported to have inhibitory action on proinflamatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1b, IL-6) and NF-Kb. The methanolic extract of Biophytum sensitivum also Possess angiostatic property (angiogenesis, play a significant role in pathogenesis of reumatoid arthritis). On the basis of above mentioned facts, the present study is undertaken to evaluate the anti-arthritic potential of methanolic extract of whole plant of Biophytum sensitivum in Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis in rats. The methanolic extract of whole plant of Biophytum sensitivum (MeBS) was prepared. Rats were divided into six groups having six rats in each group. Group 1 served as vehicle control and received saline solution 2ml/kg. All the other groups had received 0.1 ml injection of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant at sub plantar region of left hind paw of rat to induce arthritis experimentally. A time period of 7 days was given for induction of arthritis. After 7 days, rats were started on various drug regimens that were continued upto 3 weeks. Group 2 which is assigned as disease control had received only CFA injection (0.1ml) on day 1.Group3 which is standard group had received methotrexate (50µg/kg/week, p.o.). Group 4, 5 & 6 were treatment groups and had received MeBS (100,200& 400mg/kg/day, p.o.), respectively. Anti- arthritic potential of MeBS was evaluated by Complete Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis model. Assessment of body weight, paw thickness and paw volume in both hind limbs (i.e CFA injected and CFA non injected left and right hind paw respectively), arthritic swelling, inflammatory markers, radiological and histopathological examination were carried out. Methanolic extract of Biophytum sensitivum (MeBS) showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in paw thickness, paw volume of both hind limbs and in arthritic swelling. MeBS also showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in levels of inflammatory markers such as Rheumatoid factor, C-Reactive protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. Radiological and histopathological examination supported the anti- arthritic effect of MeBS. The findings of present study reveals that MeBS (400mg/kg) shows beneficial effects against CFA induced arthritis model of rats. Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, CFA, Methanolic extract of Biophytum sensitivum.