Anti-arthritic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Ayurvedic Polyherbal Formulation in Laboratory Animals

Background: RD/M.ph.AA-01 is an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation, developed for amavata, which is associated with chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. Objectives: The study was planned to evaluate the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activity of RD/M.ph.AA-01 in laboratory animals. Materials and Methods: Anti-arthritic activity of RD/M.ph.AA-01 was evaluated at 270 and 405 mg/kg doses against Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied using cotton pellet granuloma and formalin-induced edema in rat models. The effect of topical application of RD/M.ph.AA-01 on Croton oil ear edema in mice was also investigated. Results: Arthritis induction caused a significant (p<0.05) alteration in paw size, hematology, serum parameters, edematous tissue parameters, lipid peroxidation in the liver and histopathology of joints. These alterations were significantly (p<0.05) prevented by treatment with RD/M.ph.AA-01. In the cotton pellet granuloma, RD/M. ph.AA-01 supplementation caused significant (p<0.05) improvement in the weight of granuloma tissue, serum parameters, lipid peroxidation in the liver and histopathological changes in granuloma tissue. A significant (p<0.05) improvement in paw size, serum parameters and liver lipid peroxidation were observed by RD/M.ph.AA-01 treatment in the formalin-induced edema model. The RD/M.ph.AA-01 also significantly (p<0.05) suppressed Croton oil-induced ear edema. Conclusion: These findings showed that RD/M.ph.AA-01 possesses potent anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activity.