Attenuation of adjuvant-induced arthrits by Stereospermum colais and Stereospermum suaveolens via modulation of inflammatory mediators

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance The plants selected for this study, Stereospermumcolais and Stereospermum suaveolens are named as Patala in Ayurvedic medicine. Patala is a component of the reputed dasamula (ten roots) used for various imperative ayurvedic formulations. The roots of Patala have rich traditional value especially in the treatment of inflammation and rheumatism. Nevertheless no methodical study has been consummated in these plants. Consequently, an endeavor to ascertain the anti-arthritic potential of the two plants was made besides to impart the fact with regards to the supreme one. Aim of the study The aim of the study is to evaluate the anti-arthritic potential of Stereospermum colais and Stereospermum suaveolens using Complete Freunds Adjuvant induced arthritic model. Materials and methods The freshly collected root material of Stereospermum colais (SC) and Stereospermum suaveolens (SS) were successively extracted with solvents such as petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol by cold maceration and the ethanolic extracts of Stereospermum colais (EESC) and Stereospermum suaveolens (EESS) were used subjected to acute oral toxicity and in vivo anti-arthritic evaluation using Complete Freunds Adjuvant induced arthritic model using methotrexate as standard. Body weight changes, reduction in paw volume, biochemical, histopathological and the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-2 and TGF β through immunohistochemical studies were carried out to access the anti-arthritic potential. Results and conclusion s: The LD50 of the tested extracts EESC and EESS were found to be greater than 2000 mg/kg b.wt through acute oral toxicity study. The extracts EESC (58.97%) EESS (20.51%) were significantly reduced the paw volume in a dose dependent manner. The reduction in the paw volume exhibited the anti-inflammatory potential of the ethanolic extract of both the plants. The extracts at the dose of 400 mg/kg has markedly inhibited the change in joint architecture as compared to arthritic control. Also the study revealed that the extracts may possibly act by affecting the T cell mediated inflammatory process which was evident by decreased expression of CD4 cells, IL-2 and TNF-α. The presence of phytochemicals such as terpenoids, flavonoids, quinones, phenols and tannins may probably attribute to the anti-arthritic property of the plants. The study concludes that ethanolic extract of both the plants (EESC and EESS) exhibited significant anti-arthritic activity and Stereospermum colais was found to be more potent than Stereospermum suaveolens which corroborates the traditional use of roots of Stereospermum colais and Stereospermum suaveolens in the treatment of arthritis.