Effect of Turmeric Extract and Fenugreek Seed Extract on Complete Freund’s Adjuvant Induced Arthritis in Rats

Abstract

Introduction:Arthritis is a joint disorder characterized by inflammation and pain in one or more joints. Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in rats mimic rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Drugs used for treatmentof RA are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), glucocorticoids but due to their side effects and high cost, alternative and safer medication is being searched. Purpose:To evaluate anti-arthritic effect of Turmeric extract (T. Ex.), Fenugreek seed extract (FSE) on CFA induced arthritis in Wistar rats and compare its effects with standard drugs indomethacin, cyclophosphamide. Methodology:Study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, after ethical approval. 60 Wistar rats were used in this study. On day ‘0’, 0.1 ml CFA was given intradermally in right hind paw, arthritis was induced on day 5. Test drugs used were T. ex. 100 mg/kg, FSE 400 mg/kg and compared with standard drug Indomethacin 3 mg/kg in primary lesion groups (day 5 to day 15), Cyclophosphamide 7 mg/kg in secondary lesion groups (day 12 to day 22). Parameters accessed were, body weight, paw volume, ankle diameter, serum TNF-α, Arthritic index.Results:Statistically significant difference was not observed between all treatment groups so turmeric extract and fenugreek seed extract have anti-arthritic effect comparable to indomethacin on primary lesions and cyclophosphamide on secondary lesions.Conclusion:Turmeric extract 100 mg/kg, Fenugreek seed extract 400 mg/kg might have a potential usefulness as an alternative to conventional therapy in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.