Combined action of Silymarin and Celecoxib in modulating inflammatory mediators in osteoarthritis

Inflammation is the hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA) leading to pain and disability. Objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of Silymarin (SMN, an antioxidant), Celecoxib (CLX, a selective COX inhibitor) and their combination on chemically induced arthritis in rats. The biochemical parameters and radiology impact of the treatment was also determined. Wistar male rats were assigned into five groups including control, OA⁺, OA⁺ CLX (100 mg/kg), OA⁺ SMN (50 mg/kg) and OA⁺ CLX + SMN (25 mg/kg). Combined treatment returned the elevated levels of inflammatory mediators (ROS, TNF-α, ALP, COX-2) to normal levels in 14 days. In the SMN + CLX treated animals significant reduction in KL grade and normal joint space narrowing was observed. X-ray radiological studies supported the biochemical findings. These findings suggest that co-administration of SMN with CLX could be an effective antiarthritic treatment which can equally abolish the arthritis associated secondary complication.