Artemisiaherba alba Outperforms Indomethacin with Multitarget Efficacy and Safety in CFA Arthritic Model

Rheumatoid arthritis remains a major clinical challenge requiring safer and more effective alternatives to conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This pioneering study evaluated the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, and safety effects of Artemisia herba alba extract in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats. Animals received oral Artemisia herba alba (250 or 500 mg/kg), indomethacin (3 mg/kg), or saline for 15 days. CFA induced marked joint inflammation, mechanical allodynia, locomotor impairment, and oxidative stress. Treatment with Artemisia herba alba 500 mg/kg significantly reduced paw swelling, improved mobility in the open-field test, and markedly attenuated pain hypersensitivity. In parallel, biochemical analyses showed restoration of total antioxidant capacity, prevention of lipid peroxidation, and normalization of creatinine levels. Unlike indomethacin, which induced hepatotoxicity (elevated ASAT (Aspartate Aminotransferase)/ALAT (Alanine Aminotransferase)) and pronounced oxidative stress, Artemisia herba alba preserved liver and kidney function and did not produce histopathological alterations. Histological findings further indicated reduced inflammatory infiltrate and cartilage protection, particularly at 500 mg/kg. Taken together, these results suggest that Artemisia herba alba displays a multitarget effect with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic activity, along with a superior safety profile compared with indomethacin, consistent with reports from other phenolic-rich natural products. However, findings should be interpreted in light of the small sample size and preclinical study design, and further mechanistic and clinical investigations are warranted.