CROCUS SATIVUS AND NYCTANTHES ARBORTRISTIS EXTRACT MODULATES ANTI-INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE IN EXPERIMENTAL ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, affecting 1-2% population worldwide. RA is common among the women in comparison to men. The disease mostly affects the age group 45 onwards, while juvenile cases are also reported. Exact pathogenesis of the disease is still a question. Studies indicate RA as an overabundance of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inadequate anti-inflammatory cytokines. TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 are established pro-inflammatory cytokines and IL-10 as anti-inflammatory cytokine in several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Crocus sativus is considered as an anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antispasmodic and diaphoretic agent and Nyctanthes arbortristis has been known for its anti-helmenthic, anti-bacterial activity etc. The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Crocus sativus (CS) and Nyctanthes arbortristis (NAT) towards anti-inflammatory property in inflamed animal tissue. We induced arthritis by injecting Freund’s complete adjuvant in the paw of mice. Water soluble ethanolic extract of Nyctanthes arbortristis (leaf) and Crocus sativus (stigma) was administered orally to adjuvant induced arthritic mice at the dose of 23.72 and 100 mg/kg body weight, respectively for 47 days. Paw edema and anti-inflammatory cytokine were assessed in adjuvant induced arthritic mice. Daily administration of extracts for 47 days significantly reduced the paw edema and elevated the IL-10 levels in arthritic mice. Our results indicate the efficacy of simultaneous oral dose CS and NAT extracts towards anti-inflammatory property in the experimental mice.