Role of Arctium lappa L. Root (Burdock) Extract in CFA-induced Arthritis Rat Model: Impact on Antioxidant Activity and Inflammation.

BACKGROUND

Arctium lappa L. is a well-known medicinal herb recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to explore the protective effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of A. lappa root in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats.

METHODS

Arthritis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats through a single subcutaneous CFA injection into the right hind paws. After induction, the animals were orally administered A. lappa at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, or prednisolone (as a reference drug), for a duration of 30 days. Blood and ankle joint samples were collected for analysis. The anti-arthritic effects were assessed through nociceptive behavioral tests, paw edema, body weight measurements, serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and histopathological evaluations.

RESULTS

The A. lappa root extract significantly improved body weight and reduced thermal hyperalgesia, as well as decreased paw edema in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). Furthermore, A. lappa reduced inflammatory cytokines and increased antioxidant defenses in the serum of all treated rats (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Histologically, A. lappa notably restored the ankle joint architecture compared to untreated arthritic rats (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that A. lappa has significant anti-arthritic potential by reducing inflammatory cytokines and enhancing serum antioxidant levels, which supports its traditional use in the management of joint diseases.