الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Arthritis is a painful inflammatory illness, characterized by joint destruction and disability. The current study investigated the anti-inflammatory action of ashwagandha (Ash) versus that of diclofenac sodium (Dic) by evaluating paw thickness, body weight, hematological, biochemical, and inflammatory parameters, and histopathological alterations. Rats were distributed into 6 equal groups: The control group; received normal saline orally for 21 days, the Ash group; was orally treated with Ash (200 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days, the Dic group; was orally treated with Diclofenac sodium (2 mg/kg b.wt) for 21 days, Arthritic group (Arth); rats were subjected to sub-planter injection of 0.1 ml formalin (2.5%) at right hind paw on day 1 and received normal saline orally for 21 days, Arth+Ash group; arthritis was induced as explained in Arth group then treated with Ash (at the same dose as 2nd group) orally for 21 days, Arth+Dic group; arthritis was induced as explained in Arth group then treated with Dic (at the same dose as 3rd group) orally for 21 days. Paw thickness was significantly increased in arthritic rats than the control ones at various estimated times during the experiment, however, a significant decline was recorded in Arth+Ash and Arth+Dic groups. A significant decrease in the body weight of the Arth group compared to the control, and a significant increase in groups Arth+Ash and Arth+Dic compared to the Arth group. Blood and tissue specimens were harvested twice on the 14th and 21st days of the experiment. Hematological outcomes showed normocytic normochromic anemia in Arth rats, and this effect was alleviated upon the administration of Ash to Arth rats. While Dic had negative drawbacks on erythrogram. T.L.C, neutrophils, lymphocytes and serum ALT, urea, creatinine, IL-6, CRP, COX2, plasma fibrinogen, ESR, and hepatic TOC exhibited substantial increment and decrement in serum IL-10 and hepatic TAC in the Arth group. Meanwhile, the Arth+Ash and Arth+Dic groups showed significant improvement in these parameters in comparison to the Arth group. Lastly, oral administration of ashwagandha (W. sominefra) extract to rats with arthritis induced by formalin, remarkably decreased paw thickness and alleviated unfavorable modifications in all measured variables in a way better than diclofenac. |