Cordia Vignei leaf extract inhibits zymosan-induced arthritis in Sprague Dawley rats
摘要
Cordia vignei is a tropical woody plant widely used in traditional African medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.
PurposeThis study investigated the effect of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Cordia vignei (CVE) on oedema, pain and joint damage associated with zymosan-induced arthritis; to evaluate its potential use in rheumatoid arthritis.
MethodsMale Sprague Dawley rats (10–12 weeks; 200–220 g) were randomly divided into six groups (n = 5) and treated as follows: saline control (normal saline 10 ml kg−1 p.o pretreatment and normal saline 25 µl, intra-articular (i.a.) after 1 h), zymosan disease control (normal saline 10 ml kg−1 p.o. pretreatment and zymosan 500 µg in 25 µl of sterile saline, i.a. after 1 h), indomethacin-treated (indomethacin 5 mg kg−1 p.o. pretreatment and zymosan 500 µg in 25 µl of sterile saline, i.a after 1 h), and CVE treated groups (30, 100, 300 mg kg−1 p.o pretreatment and zymosan 500 µg in 25 µl of sterile saline, i.a after 1 h). The effect on these treatments on knee-joint oedema, hypernociception and joint damage were then assessed at separate timepoints. Lastly, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to characterize the functional groups of chemical compounds present in CVE.
ResultsCVE inhibited zymosan-induced knee-joint oedema, hyperalgesia and joint damage. The maximum inhibitions observed were 65.22 ± 9.46%, 45.96 ± 6.48% and 59.10 ± 5.77% for joint oedema, hypernociception and joint damage respectively, in the group treated with 300 mg kg−1 of CVE. FT-IR analysis indicated the presence of aryl alcohols such as phenols, and/or substituted aryl alcohols such as alkyl aryl ethers in the hydroethanolic leaf extract.
ConclusionsCordia vignei leaf extract ameliorates zymosan-induced acute joint inflammation in Sprague Dawley rats. The hydroethanolic extract contains aryl alcohols, and/or substituted aryl alcohols as major constituents.