title: Efficacy of Siddha formulation Kalpaamruthaa in ameliorating joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a kind of chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The degradation of extracellular matrix and cartilage pave way in understanding the molecular mechanisms in RA. Degradation of cartilage is a more complex event involving the local release of metallaoproteases and lysosomal enzymes that mediate inflammation in joints and in the synovial fluid in RA.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, the efficacy of a Siddha preparation named Kalpaamruthaa (KA) in ameliorating the disease process via markedly reducing the joint destruction was demonstrated in adjuvant induced arthritis rat model. KA consists of Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract (SA), dried powder of Emblica officinalis fruit and honey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both SA and KA were administered at dose of 150 mg/kg b.wt. for 14 days after 14 days of adjuvant injection in rats. The activity of lysosomal enzymes, the level of collagen, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and its degradative products were analyzed in control and experimental animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study revealed that KA exhibited a profound reduction (p<0.05) in the activities of lysosomal enzymes and thereby decreasing (p<0.05) the levels of GAGs and its fractions when compared to arthritis rats. The latter was confirmed by Safrannin O staining for GAGs in the interphalangeal joints of control and experimental animals. The effect of KA was found to be improved than SA and this might be due to the combined interactions of phytoconstituents present in KA.
authors: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr. A.L.M. Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai-600113, India.
authors: Rajendran
authors: R
authors: Mythilypriya
authors: Palanivelu
authors: P
authors: Shanthi
authors: Panchanadam
authors: P
authors: Sachdanandam
mesh_terms: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000378:metabolism; D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; C510231:Kalpaamruthaa; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003094:Collagen; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; D002402:Cathepsin D