Evaluation of the possibility of prophylactic and therapeutic effects of praziquantel in adjuvant arthritic rats

ABSTRACT

This work was designed to study the effect of praziquantel [an antibilharzial drug] on adjuvant arthritis in rats in comparison with indomethacin. An animal model of adjuvant arthritis was adopted in rats by intradermal injection of Freund's adjuvant. Oral administration of praziquantel in adjuvant arthritic rats at a dose of 187 mg/kg/week for four weeks as a prophylactic or therapeutic regimen resulted in a significant anti-inflammatory effect which was more or less similar to indomethacin. It was concluded that the administration of praziquantel could be used for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and it could prevent the progress of the rheumatic disease