Effects of Solanum nigrum on Liver Enzymes and Hematological Profile in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Arthritic Rats

Background: Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a steady onset and multiple adverse effects. The objective was to evaluate the effects of the ethanolic extract of Solanum nigrum (SN) on methotrexate-associated hepatotoxicity and pancytopenia in Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats. Methods: 30 male Wistar albino rats were used in a 4-week pre-clinical experimental study conducted at Ziauddin University Karachi from November 2021 to December 2021. Animals were divided into 5 groups; Group-I Negative control (0.9% normal saline), Group-II positive control (0.9% normal saline), Group-III Standard (Methotrexate 1.5mg/kg), Group-IV (SN 100mg/kg), Group-V (SN 200mg/kg). To develop arthritis, 0.1mL of CFA was administered intraarticularly in the right knee joints of all groups except Group-I at day 0. For euthanasia, 100mg/kg pentobarbital was injected intraperitoneally in all animals on the 29th day. 10ml of blood was collected in vacutainer tubes for CBC and LFT. SPSS was used to analyze the results and ANOVA was applied for intergroup and intragroup comparisons. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant at a 95% confidence interval. Results: Diseased controls increased WBCs, but Groups III, IV, and V considerably decreased WBCs. Group III also caused suppression in RBCs and hemoglobin levels. SN showed a significant decrease in WBCs, but it did not suppress RBCs, hemoglobin, and platelet levels. MTX significantly increased total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase. Contrary to this, SN did not significantly increase liver enzymes when compared with the negative controls. Conclusion: Unlike methotrexate, the ethanolic extract of SN improved the hematological and liver profile.