Anti-inflammatory effects of total extract of Curcuma amada Roxb. in a rheumatoid arthritis rat model

ABSTRACT

Joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are among common and debilitating disease of the time. Current treatments are limited due to lack of efficacy and high incidence of side effects. Therefore, there is an increasing need for alternative drug treatment strategies specially in the area of medicinal plants. Curcuma amada Roxb. Which belongs to the family of zingiberaceae, has been traditionally used for inflammation and arthritic pain in China and India. Very little data is available about efficacy of this plant in controlled studies. In this study, effect of total extract of Curcuma amada [C.A.] were assessed on inflammation. Male rats were injected [s.c] with complete freund's adjuvant [50 mg/10 cc heat killed and dried mycobacterium tuberculosis, suspended in mineral oil [Arlacel A and light paraffin]. Injections were made in the right ankle foot of tibio tarsal joint region. On day 15 following adjuvant administration, animals were treated [i.p] with a 100 mg/kg dose of the extract daily for 15 days. Joint diameter, arthritic Index, body weight, WBC count and ESR were recorded. The data indicated that the extract could significantly [p<0.05] reduce ESR, WBC, joint diameter and arthritic Index of treated animals compared with control animals. Further studies are underway to determine antiarthritic potentials and safety of the extract