Evaluation of Anti-arthritic Potential of Pisonia grandis R. Br Against Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) Induced Albino Wistar Rats

Medicinal plants have been employed in the treatment of human ailments since time immemorial. Arthritis is a joint disorder affecting the subchondral bone and cartilage. The continuous action of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory mediators are also reported to cause further damage to the joints by immunological activation. DriedPisonia grandisleaves were powdered for the extraction process. Albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups with six animals in each group. Groups IV and V were complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritic rats which receivedPisonia grandisethanol extract (PGEE; 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w. [body weight]) respectively from 15th to 35th day of induction of CFA induced arthritis. PGEE protects rats against primary and secondary arthritic lesions, body weight changes, and hematological perturbations induced by CFA. The serum markers of inflammation and arthritis, such as C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor, were also reduced in the PGEE-treated arthritic rats. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis of PGEE detected the presence of polyphenolic compounds such as resveratrol, quercetin, and naringenin. The study confirmed that presence of bioactive phytocompounds in ethanolic extract ofPisonia grandisR. Br. Overall, PGEE was observed to be a potent agent reducing arthritis-mediated cartilage/bone degradation, inflammation, and associated stress in vivo, which gives cause for further research.