Advances in Pharmacology and Pharmacy Vol. 11(3), pp. 214 - 223
DOI: 10.13189/app.2023.110305
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Lalitha Vivekanandan 1,*, Shila Gunasekaran 1, Sethumathi Ponnusamy 1, Prabha Thangavel 2
1 Department of Pharmacology, Nandha College of Pharmacy, India
2 Department of Chemistry, Nandha College of Pharmacy, India

ABSTRACT

Background: Chronic autoimmune illness rheumatoid arthritis (RA) mostly affects joints and other organs. Free radicals are the main etiology to induce arthritis by increasing the inflammatory mediator's release. The currently available anti-arthritic drugs showed gastrointestinal discomfort, nephrotoxicity, and increased cardiovascular complications due to their long-term use. The herbal drugs have been safe, cheap, and effective against RA. The unripened fruits of Luffa acutangula (LA) or ridged gourd (Family: Cucurbitaceae) are used as an edible vegetable and are reported as a laxative, diuretic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, etc. Objective: The present research determined the antiarthritic and antioxidant potential of ethanolic unripened fruit extract of Luffa acultangula (EFLA) against FCA (Complete Freund's Adjuvant) induced arthritic rats. Methods: The subplantar region of rats was treated with single subcutaneous administration of FCA for induction of arthritis. The EFLA at doses of 200, 400 mg/kg/PO, and the Dexamethasone 5 mg/kg/PO were administered from the 16th to the 30th day after FCA induction. The total flavonoid and phenolic content were measured by the colorimetric method. Paw edema, arthritic score, hematological parameters, markers for liver and renal function, C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), and markers for oxidative stress were all measured. Results: The total flavonoid content was 0.94±0.02 GAE/g and the total phenolic content was 0.72±0.04 mg of QE/g, respectively. The EFLA significantly attenuated paw swelling, arthritic score, hematological alterations, CRP, RF factor, and free radicals-induced damage. Conclusion: EFLA is a feasible therapeutic drug for the remedy of RA for long-term use because it is an antioxidant-rich edible fruit. Further research is needed to find prophylactic actions and adjuvant therapy of LA against RA.

KEYWORDS
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Luffa Acutangula, Dexamethasone, FCA, Antioxidant

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Lalitha Vivekanandan , Shila Gunasekaran , Sethumathi Ponnusamy , Prabha Thangavel , "Antiarthritic and Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic Unripened Fruit Extract of Luffa Acutangula (L.) Roxb Against FCA-induced Arthritic Rats," Advances in Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 214 - 223, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/app.2023.110305.

(b). APA Format:
Lalitha Vivekanandan , Shila Gunasekaran , Sethumathi Ponnusamy , Prabha Thangavel (2023). Antiarthritic and Antioxidant Potential of Ethanolic Unripened Fruit Extract of Luffa Acutangula (L.) Roxb Against FCA-induced Arthritic Rats. Advances in Pharmacology and Pharmacy, 11(3), 214 - 223. DOI: 10.13189/app.2023.110305.