PRECLINICAL EVALUATION OF HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF SIDA SPINOSA FOR ITS ANTI-ARTHRITIC ACTIVITY IN MICE

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Sida spinosa L. (HYSS) in antigen induced rheumatoid arthritis in mice by intra articular administration of Bovine serum. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by the mixture of antigen (Bovine serum albumin) and adjuvant (Imject alum) in 1:1 ratio on 1^st, 7^th and 21^st day as an induction period. The mixture of antigen and adjuvant caused the joint destruction, chronic inflammation of synovium, pannus formation, erosion of bones and cartilage in mice. The HYSS administered at three different concentrations 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg,p.o. as test and Indomethacin (2 mg/kg, p.o) as reference standard for next 20 days as a treatment period in arthritis induced mice. The study was conducted for total 41 consecutive days as initial 21 days of induction and next 20 days as treatment period. Progression of arthritis in different group of animals was evaluated by biochemical parameters, histological changes, antioxidant activity and radiographic analysis in overall joint structure. HYSS at 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly recovered the Serum TNF-α level, NF-kβ, MPO activity, Radiographic Analysis (X-ray) as compared to antigen induced rheumatoid arthritis control group. Results of present study indicates the anti-arthritic potential of HYSS to heal antigen induced rheumatoid arthritis in mice. It can be concluded from the present study that HYSS at doses 200 and 400 mg/kg has the potential as anti-arthritic activity.