Evaluation of the oxidative stress reduction and anti-inflammatory efficacy of fractions of the methanolic extract of the leaf part of Ziziphus nummularia using complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic immune-mediated disease characterized by persistent joint inflammation of multiple small and large joints mainly the joints of hands, feet, and knees. Medicinal plants remain a promising source for developing new anti-arthritic medications. This research evaluated the antioxidant and potential anti-arthritic effects of various fractions of methanolic extracts of Z. nummularia.

MATERIALS: Evaluation was carried out using DPPH and the egg albumin denaturation method, followed by in vivo evaluation in a CFA-induced arthritis model in experimental rats.

RESULTS

The DPPH assay showed maximum % inhibition by the chloroform fraction of the methanolic extract of Z. nummularia with an IC50 of 153.16 µg/ml. In vitro anti-arthritic studies determined that the chloroform fraction was the most active, showing the greatest inhibition of protein denaturation. This fraction was further analyzed for in vivo study at three dose levels in the CFA-induced arthritis model: AFLD (100 mg/kg), AFID (200 mg/kg), and AFHD (400 mg/kg).

DISCUSSION: Inflammatory macrophage and granulocyte migration was attenuated by the active fraction in a dose-dependent manner, alleviating the anemia commonly associated with arthritis. Histopathological and microscopic examinations of joint sections revealed that the diclofenac, 200 mg/kg AFID, and 400 mg/kg AFHD groups exhibited reduced necrosis and edema. Radiographic images of the hind paws showed that the high-dose active fraction significantly suppressed joint inflammation and slowed disease progression compared to diclofenac (standard).

CONCLUSION

Overall, the findings suggest that Z. nummularia represents a prospective source of natural therapeutics with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offering promising therapeutic effects for relieving various ailments related to inflammatory responses.