Evaluation of anti-arthritic potential of Pongamia pinnata in arthritic rats Arya Nidhi1, Ahmad A.H.1,*, Pant Disha1, Maletha Deeksha1, Batra Munish2, Sharma Sonam1 1Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India 2Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India *Corresponding author's e-mail: ahahmadpharma@gmail.com
Online published on 28 November, 2023. Abstract The main objective of present study was to assess anti-arthritic potential of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Pongamia pinnata (PPHE) following Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) induced rheumatic arthritisin wistar rats. For evaluating anti-arthritic potential, forty two rats of 2 to 2.5 month of age weighing 100-200 gm were randomly and uniformly divided into seven groups with six rats in each group. Treatment protocols were initiated following confirmation of arthritis (day 3 post-FCA administration) and continued up to 28 days. Group I rats served as control. In group II, III, IV, and V, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was induced by single sub-plantar injection of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) @ 0.1 ml (10 % w/v) in left hind paw. In rats of group III, diclofenac sodium was also administered @ 4 mg/kg b.wt three days after administration of FCA. In rats of group IV and group V, hydroethanolic leaf extract of Pongamia pinnata (PPHE-1) was administered @ 100 mg/kg b. wt and (PPHE-2) @ 200 mg/kg b.wt., respectively. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents viz., alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, phenols, fixed oils and fats. FCA administration caused significant increase (P<0.05) in paw thickness, arthritic score, reduction in mobility score, joint tissue swelling and bone erosion which was ameliorated following administration of PPHE in a dose dependent manner. The histopathological examination of the joint tissue in arthritic rats revealed dense infiltration of lympho mononuclear cells, dense synoviocytes in synovial tissue and myxoid cartilage degeneration which was ameliorated following administration of PPHE in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, from the present study it can be concluded that hydroethanolic leaf extract of Pongamia pinnata @200 mg/kg b.wt possess potent anti-arthritic activity. Top Keywords Hydroethanolic leaf extract of Pongamia pinnata (HEPP), Wistar rats, Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), Diclofenac sodium, Rheumatoid arthritis. Top |