title: Anti-arthritic activity of a classical Ayurvedic formulationVatari Gugguluin rats.
abstract: In India,Vatari Gugguluhas been traditionally used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The current study was undertaken to evaluate anti-arthritic activity of alcoholic extract ofVatari Gugguluin rats. Arthritis was induced by administration of formaldehyde (2%v/v) or Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the sub-plantar surface of left hind paw of the animals. The extract was administered to the rats by oral gavages in different doses. Joint swelling was measured in formaldehyde induced arthritis. Various physical, biochemical and histopathological parameters were determined in CFA induced arthritis.Vatari Gugguluextract (VGE) produced significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of joint swelling in both formaldehyde and CFA induced arthritis. The treatment also brought to normalcy the increased white blood cell (WBC) count, rheumatoid factor (RF), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL with an enhancement of haemoglobin (Hb) levels and red blood cell (RBC) count. These effects were found to be dose dependent. These effects were comparable with standard drug indomethacin. Histo-pathological studies of the ankles of VGE treated animals exhibited significant improvements. VGE did not show any toxic symptoms even at a dose of 2000 mg/kg in acute toxicity studies on rats. Thus,Vatari Guggulu, a classical Ayurvedic formulation of the Indian System of Medicine, exhibited significant anti-arthritic activity in formaldehyde and CFA induced arthritis in rats. This study corroborates the claims ofAyurvedaonVatari Guggulu.
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy, Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Limda 391760, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
authors: Madhavi G
authors: MG
authors: Patel
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy, L. J. Institute of Pharmacy, Between Sarkhej Circle and Kataria Motors, S. G. Road, Ahmedabad 382210, India.
authors: Kilambi
authors: K
authors: Pundarikakshudu
keywords: Adjuvant induced arthritis; Cholesterol; ESR; Formaldehyde; Haemoglobin; Vatari Guggulu