Abstract

ANTI-ARTHRITIC ACTIVITY OF EUPHORBIA THYMIFOLIA LINN

G.C. Mamatha*, T.Prabhakar, V. Madhuri, K. Neelima, E. Venkatanagaraju and S.B.Chandrasekar

ABSTRACT

Euphorbia thymifolia Linn; (Euphorbiaceae) is a small prostate, hispidly pubescent, annual weed, which is commonly found in India and tropical countries. It is believed to possess Diuretic, Laxative, and Detumescent, anti-malarial, anti-diarrheic, anti-rash, anti-dysentery, anti-carbuncle detoxification and anti-hemorrhoidal activity and also reported to be used in the treatment of aches and pains etc. The aim of present study was to evaluate the anti-arthritic activities of whole plant of Euphorbia thymifolia Linn using Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. Petroleum ether (40-60°C), Chloroform, Alcohol, Aqueous extract of Euphorbia thymifolia were tested for various preliminary phytoconstituents and were screened for anti-arthritic activities using Freund’s adjuvant arthritis in albino rats. The extracts were administered orally for 21 days and the mean changes in diameter of paw were noted at regular intervals. On 22nd day at the end of study blood was collected and hemoglobin content, total WBC count, Differential WBC count, ESR, RBC, SGOT, SGPT, ALP, TP, Lipid peroxidation in liver and effect of gastric mucosa were also estimated. From the results obtained in the current investigation, it may be concluded that the Euphorbia thymifolia Linn possess anti-arthritic activity.

Keywords: Euphorbia thymifolia, anti-arthritic, adjuvant arthritis