Abstract

EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTI-ARTHRITIC EFFECTS OF SYRINGIC ACID IN RATS

Shilpee Chanda, Sarayu A. Pai and Archana R. Juvekar*

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potential of syringic acid (SA) in carrageenan induced paw oedema and Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) arthritis in rats. The anti-inflammatory activity of SA was determined in carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. For evaluation of anti-arthritic activity, a single dose of FCA was administered in the paw of each rat and the paw volume, stair-climbing ability and arthritis index were measured. TNF-α and IL-6 were determined in the serum. The indices of the thymus and spleen were determined. The antioxidant parameters were estimated in the liver and paw. The histopathological examination of the paw was carried out. SA significantly reduced the paw volume and levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in both the models. SA reduced the arthritis index and improved the stair climbing ability of arthritic rats. FCA caused an increase in the thymus and spleen indices while SA reduced these. SA exerted antioxidant activity in the liver and paw of arthritic rats. The histopathological examination of the paw revealed reduction in the inflammatory cell infiltration and cartilage and bone damage score. SA may be a potential molecule for the treatment of inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis.

Keywords: freund’s complete adjuvant, carrageenan, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, syringic acid.