Anti-arthritic activity of Trayodashang guggulu, a classical Ayurvedic formulation against complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats

Abstract Background Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting millions of people across the world. Trayodashang guggulu (TG) is a classical Ayurvedic formulation used for the treating joint diseases since decades in the Indian system of traditional medicine. The aim of the study was to evaluate anti-arthritic activity of TG against complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in Wistar rats. Methods Arthritis was induced by single injection of 0.1 ml complete Freund’s adjuvant into the intraplanter surface of left hind paw of Wistar rats. TG was administered orally at the doses of 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. In the preventive dose group, TG was administered at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, orally for 28 days. Paw swelling, joint circumference, serum rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, serum IL-1 β , TNF- α and histopathological parameters were assessed for the evaluation of arthritis. Effects of TG were compared with standard allopathic drug ibuprofen. Results TG reversed complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats when used for 14 and 28 days. Serum rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, IL-1 β and TNF- α were decreased in rats treated with both standard drug ibuprofen and TG. Conclusion Oral administration of TG reduced experimentally induced rheumatoid arthritis in rats by reversing elevated level of serum biochemical markers as well as reducing joint destruction similar to ibuprofen. Results obtained from the study paved the way in exploring more specific mechanisms of action of TG involving in vitro and in silico models.