Analyzing the therapeutic efficacy of native remedial flora against Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease with an inflammatory origin and is characterized by growing articular injury that worsens over time along with loss of function. It mainly affects the lining of synovial joints, resulting in redness, edema, arthralgia, and restricted joint movement. Mainly three factors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of this disease which includes genetic, environmental, and epigenetics. Traditional treatments like NSAIDs, DMARDs, and glucocorticoids have side effects, therefore it is important to investigate novel, efficient, and risk-free alternatives. An ancient method for combating diseases is with medicinal herbs since they are easily available, cost effective, has fewer side effects, and contain certain therapeutic phytochemicals. Plants with bioactive compounds and phytochemicals having antioxidant and anti inflammatory roles have been under study for centuries. Dodonaea viscosa originated in Australia, endemic to Western America and many other countries including Pakistan. This plant has been known for its therapeutic properties for a long time and many studies are available for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, therefore the objective of the study was to analyze the anti-rheumatic potential of Dodonaea viscosa. Ethanolic extract of Dodonaea viscosa prepared in Soxhlet apparatus constituted many important phytochemicals like saponins, steroids, sterols, flavonoids, phenols, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, anthraquinones, anthocyanins. In-vitro bioactive assays were performed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidant effects were assessed by DPPH and FRAP, which exhibited good results. While significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potential were present which was analyzed by Albumin denaturation assay and Membrane stabilization assay respectively. In ex-vivo and in-vivo studies on BLAB/c mice, acute toxicity analysis was performed. No significant signs of toxicity and mortality were observed. Collagen-induced arthritis BALB/c mice were designed for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of Dodonaea viscosa in Rheumatoid arthritis which was evaluated by clinical chemistry parameters, spleen indices, and paw x rays. Notably reduced paw sizes along with restored body weight were observed in D.viscosa treated mice. D.viscosa treated groups had Rheumatoid factor in the normal Analyzing the Therapeutic efficacy of native remedial flora against Rheumatoid Arthritis vi range and spleen indices also showed no significant difference as compared to the normal group. Radiographical evaluation of joints showed reduced inflammation of soft tissues and less bone deformation in the D.viscosa treated groups. Our study concluded that Dodonaea viscosa has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential which can be a potential source for the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis. Further in-vivo and in-vitro studies can be conducted to confirm its other therapeutic effects in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases