IN VIVO ANTI-ARTHRITIC ACTIVITY OF CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA ROOT BARK EXTRACT

Abstract

In the present paper anti-arthritic activity of C. gigantea root bark extract in experimental rats was explored. The root bark of plant was powdered and defatted with petroleum ether then extracted with a mixture of ethanol and water having ratio 9:1 to yield hydroalcoholic extract. The extract underwent various phytochemical analyses to estimate the secondary phytoconstituent present in plant. The antiarthritic activity was estimated by adjuvant induced arthritis in experiment rat and various parameters have been determined. Percentage yield (% w/w) of hydroalcholic extract was found to be 7.69 % w/w. The secondary metabolites were found to be Alkaloids, Steroid, Tannins, Saponin and Triterponoids. The arthritic score was found to be significantly decreased on treatment with the drug. Oral administration of test extract produced a dose dependent decrease in paw volume it was 0.94± 0.26 mm and 0.76±0.17 mm in test extract CGE 200/400 mg/kg respectively as compared with day of peak inflammation. Radiographic analysis revealed that clear and minimal narrowing of joint space. Arthritic rats treated with C. gigantea root bark extract showed a significant (p less than 0.05) decrease in the activity of AST and ALT enzymes. C. gigantea root bark extract has shown significant anti-arthritic activity.