Drimiopsis maculata methanol extract attenuates inflammation in experimental rat model of polyarthritis: a...

Drimiopsis maculata is a member of Asparagaceae family, has been used to treat inflammatory and pain conditions since long. The intention of performing this study was to determine anti-inflammatory properties in polyarthritis in D. maculata methanol extract (DMME). The extract was phytochemically characterized using proximate analysis, HPLC and GCMS profiling. DMME 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg were used to evaluate in vivo efficacy in formaldehyde-induced polyarthritis rat model. Diameter of paw, body weight, arthritic score, hematological indices, and biochemical markers were among the parameters that were assessed. Levels of HSP-70, PGE-2, NO, iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α, SOD, CAT, and MDA were quantified using ELISA. Inflammatory gene expression was determined by qRT-PCR. Organ Histological and radiological examinations were also carried out. Phytochemical evaluation confirmed the presence of various secondary metabolites, with HPLC and GCMS detecting diverse bioactive compounds. In vivo, treatment with DMME showed a dose-dependent decrease in paw inflammation and polyarthritis severity. Improvements were noted in hematological and biochemical characteristics, along with histological indication of decreased inflammation, bone degradation, and pannus formation. Analysis of gene expression revealed that anti-inflammatory genes were up-regulated whereas pro-inflammatory mediators were down-regulated. The outcomes of this research study show that DMME holds strong anti-inflammatory potential and provide scientific ground supporting its conventional use in the management of inflammation in polyarthritis.