Effect of Maranta arundinacea L. ethanolic extract against chronic inflammation in CFA-induced arthritis rats

The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of the ethanolic extract of Maranta arundinacea L. (EEMA) on chronic inflammation in a Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) -induced arthritic animal model.

The in vitro anti-arthritic activity of EEMA was assessed using the proteinase-inhibitory assay. About 0.05 mL of Complete Freund's adjuvant was injected intraplanar into the left hind paw on day 1 of the experiment to induce arthritis. Over 21 days, rats were pre-treated with either 7.5 mg/kg of diclofenac sodium or 200 mg/kg of body weight. EEMA was administered orally and was followed by measurements of body weight and paw volumes at weekly intervals on days 7, 14, and 21. On the 21st day, blood samples were drawn for analysis of haematological parameters, and the separated serum was used to determine hepatic marker enzymes and enzymatic antioxidants. Paw tissues, separated post-euthanasia, were analysed histopathologically, and semi-quantitative analysis of COX-2 expression was performed using conventional RT-PCR.

Administration of EEMA significantly reduced paw volume and increased body weight. Biochemical analyses showed significant modulation of hepatic marker enzymes, enzymatic antioxidants, and haematological parameters. Furthermore, semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed a reduction in COX-2 expression in EEMA-treated groups compared with arthritic control groups.

The findings demonstrate that EEMA exhibited anti-arthritic activity by attenuating inflammation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for managing arthritis.