The protective effects of <i>Acorus calamus</i> L. rhizome extracts against rheumatoid arthritis-associated dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and liver injury in rats

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with comorbidities like dyslipidemia and liver damage. Acorus calamus L. is commonly used to treat inflammatory and hepatorenal ailments. Herein, we assessed the hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective activities of A. calamus rhizome extracts in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats. A. calamus rhizome’s methanol (AME) and n-hexane (AHE) extracts were prepared. In vivo, fifty-four female Wistar rats were allocated into nine groups (n = 6). The AIA was induced by injecting Complete Freund’s adjuvant (100 µL, s.c.) into the rat’s right hind paw. After AIA induction, animals were orally treated with meloxicam (MEL; 3 mg/kg) and graded doses (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) of AME and AHE for 28 consecutive days. Results showed that both plant extracts dose-dependently restored the body weight and liver index of arthritic rats. Each plant extract significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated hyperlipidemia and atherogenicity in arthritic rats. They also normalized the liver function markers and protein concentrations along with the reduction in hepatic oxidative stress. Histopathological examination of the liver supported the biochemical findings. However, AME exhibited better pharmacological activities than AHE. Our findings conclude that A. calamus rhizome could be used to treat dyslipidemia and liver injury in inflammatory conditions like RA.