Abstract

ANTI-ARTHRITIC ACTIVITY OF FRUIT EXTRACT OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA LINN. AGAINST CFA INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN EXPERIMENTAL RATS USING PROPHYLACTIC MODEL

Kavyanjali K.V.*, Vaishnavi T. and Karunakar Hegde

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, symmetrical inflammatory autoimmune disease that initially impact the small joints, then progressing to larger joints and finally the skin, eyes, heart, kidneys and lungs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of fruit extract of Psidium guajava Linn. against Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in rats using prophylactic model. Arthritis was induced by single sub plantar injection of 0.1 ml of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA). Dexamethasone (5 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as standard in both models. Physical parameters such as paw volume, paw diameter and body weight were evaluated. Also, serum parameters such as SGPT, SGOT and ALP, rheumatoid factor were evaluated. In addition to these, histopathological study was also carried out. In the present study the standard drug Dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) and fruit extract of Psidium guajava Linn. at high dose (250 mg/kg) and low dose (125 mg/kg) significantly decreased the paw volume, paw diameter, SGOT, SGPT, ALP and rheumatoid factor and increased the body weight when compared to arthritic control group. The present study concluded that fruit extract of the plant Psidium guajava Linn. Was found to be more effective in high dose (250 mg/kg) compared to low dose (125 mg/kg) against arthritis induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant.

Keywords: Arthritis, Complete Freund’s Adjuvant, Dexamethasone, Psidium guajava Linn, Rheumatoid factor.