title: Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract on amelioration of oxidative stress and autoantibodies production in collagen-induced arthritic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder. Withania somnifera Dunal (Solanaceae) (WS), is a common medicinal plant used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of arthritis, and is an ingredient of anti-arthritic polyherbal formulations such as Habb-e-Asgand® and Arthritin™. In the present study, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-arthritic activity of aqueous extract of WS root (WSAq) in collagen-induced arthritic (CIA) rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  CIA rats were treated by using three doses of WSAq (100, 200, 300 mg/kg b. wt., orally) and methotrexate (MTX, 0.25 mg/kg b. wt. i.p.) as a standard reference drug for 20 days. The anti-arthritic effect was assayed by measuring the arthritic index, autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (a-CCP), anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-collagen type II antibody (a-CII) and inflammatory marker like C-reactive protein (CRP). The oxidative stress parameters were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with WSAq resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in arthritic index, autoantibodies and CRP (p < 0.05) with maximum effect at dose of 300 mg/kg b. wt. and the results were comparable to that of MTX-treated rats. Similarly, oxidative stress in CIA rats was ameliorated by treatment with different doses of WSAq, as evidenced by a decrease in lipid peroxidation and glutathione-S-transferase activity and an increase in the glutathione content and ferric-reducing ability of plasma (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed that WSAq exhibited antioxidant and anti-arthritic activity and reduced inflammation in CIA rats and suggests the potential use of this plant in the treatment of arthritis.
authors: Mahmood Ahmad
authors: MA
authors: Khan
authors: Mythily
authors: M
authors: Subramaneyaan
authors: Vinod Kumar
authors: VK
authors: Arora
authors: Basu Dev
authors: BD
authors: Banerjee
authors: Rafat Sultana
authors: RS
authors: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D032341:Withania
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001323:Autoantibodies; D016207:Cytokines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003094:Collagen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C030693:Ashwagandha; D008727:Methotrexate