Unveiling the Anti-Arthritic Promise of Zanthoxylum armatum: Integrated In-Vitro and In-Vivo Evaluation in FCA-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that is accompanied by progressive joint destruction, pain and functional disability. The main objective of the present study was to examine the antiarthritic activity of aqueous (ZAAQ) and ethanolic (ZAE) extract of Zanthoxylum armatum in both in-vitro and in-vivo experimental models. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds and glycosides, which are known to possess antiinflammatory properties. The protein denaturation and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization assays were used to assess in-vitro anti-arthritic activity at concentration of (50-2000µg/mL). Strong membrane stabilization and protein denaturation inhibition effects were obtained by both extracts in a concentrationdependent manner, similar to diclofenac sodium. The in-vivo evaluation was performed on Wistar rats with the induction of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA). The extracts were orally given after 28 days at doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg. The decrease in paw edema and joint diameter produced by treatment with ZAAQ and ZAE compared to the disease control group was significant and the increase in body weight in arthritic rats was also significantly improved. The therapeutic activity of the higher doses of both extracts was higher, with aqueous extract having comparatively higher activity. The result indicated that Zanthoxylum armatum has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic property which may be attributed to the combination effect of various phytoconstituents present in the plant. Hence, the plant can be a promising natural therapeutic agent for the control of RA.