Methanol extract of Chenopodium murale L. attenuated TNF-α-mediated oxidative stress and inflammation in murine...

Herbal remedies have been utilised in traditional medicine systems to manage chronic illnesses. The present research investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiarthritic effects of Chenopodium murale L. The C. murale (CMMeE) methanolic extract, prepared from the whole plant by maceration, was analysed for phytochemicals using LC-MS. The antioxidant effects of CMMeE were assessed in an in vitro DPPH assay. The efficacy of CMMeE was assessed in in vivo carrageenan and histamine-induced acute inflammatory models, and in formaldehyde and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced chronic arthritis models. Three different doses of CMMeE (250, 500, and 750 mg/kg) and 10 mg/kg of diclofenac sodium were administered orally to the animals. Different parameters, including reductions in paw oedema, arthritic index (AI), histopathological, biochemical, and haematological changes, were noted. ELISA and qPCR methods were used to assess the expression of antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers in serum samples. CMMeE possesses moderate antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 199.7 µg/mL) when compared to gallic acid (IC₅₀ = 178.9 µg/mL) in an in vitro DPPH assay. Treatment with CMMeE alleviated paw oedematous conditions in the acute models. The CMMeE and diclofenac sodium-treated groups demonstrated a noticeable decline (p < 0.05) in joint inflammation and overall arthritic scores. Treatment with the extract and diclofenac sodium resulted in reductions in superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the serum samples. Moreover, remarkable (p < 0.05) induction of interleukin-4 and -10 and suppression of COX-2, IL-1, IL-6, NF-kβ, mPGE, and TNF-α was noticed in a dose-dependent manner in the samples of CMMeE and dilcofenac sodium treated animals. Complete blood count (CBC) data indicated no noticeable differences (p > 0.05) in RBCs and Hb levels, but a decline in platelet and WBCs levels in CMMeE-treated groups. Reduced pannus formation, bone deterioration, and synovitis were observed in tissue sections of animals treated with CMMeE and diclofenac sodium. Overall, CMMeE exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects, which may be due to TNF-α-directed downregulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators.