Analyzing Anti-Arthritic Effect of Hydrogels Embedded with Thymus serpyllum Extract Through In-Vivo Study

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that effects 1% of population worldwide. Several genetic and environmental factors play a role in the onset of the disease. The HLA DRB1 locus is the most studied genetic factor which produces a 5 amino acids molecule known as the shared epitope which is currently used as a diagnostic marker. In addition to the genetic, the environmental factors like smoke, dust and even the microbiome also play a role in its pathogenesis. There is currently no cure for rheumatoid arthritis but different drugs are used to manage its symptoms and stop its prognosis. These drugs provide therapeutic effect to a limit and their prolong use is associated with numerous side effects like stomach ulcers, kidney failure, heart diseases etc. Microemulsion is a new drug delivery system that helps to minimize the toxic effects of drugs by providing a targeted release and improve their efficacy by increasing their permeability. The topical route of administration of microemulsions increases the bioavailability of the active compound by stopping the drug from getting degraded by the enzymes. Due to the favorable outcomes of topical based microemulsion systems, they are emerging as a promising drug carrier contributing to the therapeutic evolution as they not only improve the patient’s life by suppressing the symptoms but they also medicate the inflammatory processes. Thymus serpyllum is being used as an herbal medicine in the form of tinctures, syrups, oil and tea for centuries. The upper parts of thyme are used as an antiseptic, anthelmintic, disinfectant, antispasmodic, sedative and expectorant. T. serpyllum is commonly used against disorders concerning gastrointestinal and respiratory system. Carvacrol is the major plant oil constituent that shows in vitro cytotoxic activity against the cancer cell lines. Thyme oil shows a concentration dependent viability of cell lines. The ethanolic extract showed positive results for various bioactive phytochemicals like phenols, flavonoids, Saponins, steroids, anthraquinones and glycosides. Extract exhibit good anti-oxidant activity assessed by DPPH assay and FRAP assay. It also displayed significant anti-inflammatory activity assessed by Percentage inhibition of albumin denaturation assay and membrane stabilization assay. Plant extract showed no toxic effects in in-vivo and ex-vivo as confirmed by acute toxicity (LD50) and hemolytic assays. Abstract 2 Analyzing Anti-Arthritic Effect of Hydrogels Embedded with Thymus serpyllum Extract Through In-Vivo Study Microemulsion was prepared by using oleic acid as oil component, tween 20 as surfactant and ethanol as co-surfactant. The constituent ratios of components were determined by the pseudo-ternary phase diagrams. The formulated microemulsion was characterized for size, zeta potential, PDI and pH. Stability of the microemulsion was also confirmed by the use of centrifugation, dilution tests and heat and cycles. The anti-arthritic potential of the microemulsion was confirmed by the use of collagen induced arthritis BALB/c mouse models. The formulations showed significant decrease in paw measurements and the X-rays showed that the treated groups had less inflammation and joint deformation as compared to the control groups. The group treated with plant based microemulsion showed serum levels within the normal range. The current study concluded the anti-arthritic effect of Thymus serpyllum embedded microemulsions in in-vivo studies