ABSTRACT
Context – Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory systematic auto-immune disease affectingthe synovial joints which is associated with progressive disability, premature death followed by socioeconomicburden. Citrullus colocynthisin its previous study has been reported for its anti-inflammatory activity onanimal models.Objective – The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Citrullus colocynthis on type IIcollagen induced Arthritis mediated diabetes in Wistar rats.Materials and methods – The Collagen induced arthritis model was established and the animals wererandomly divided into five groups. Each group was orally administered with the extract (250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg). Treatment was started on the 14th day and persisted for 25 days. The symptoms of Collagen inducedArthritis and the extract treatment was compared and investigated.Results – Extract (500 mg/kg) showed a significant decrease of IL-6 and TNF – followed by a decreasein the blood glucose levels when compared with the positive control. Extract treatment diminished theswelling of the hind limbs and monocyte infiltration in blood vessels in a Collagen induced arthritis animalmodel.Conclusion – The results indicate that Citrullus colocynthis extract could be used to improve arthritis byreducing the inflammatory factors such as TNF – and IL -6. However further experiments are required todetermine the influence of Citrullus colocynthis extract on signal transduction in animal models.