MOLECULAR DOCKING OF BERBERINE TO REDUCE OSTEOARTHRITIS INDUCED BY HYDROXYZINE IN MALE RABBITS

Berberine (BBR) has been prescribed in the management of various health conditions, and its potential as a powerful natural remedy continues to attract scientific interest in the treatment of inflammatory disease. This study involved twenty-four male rabbits, which were randomly divided into four equal groups, each consisting of six rabbits. The first group served as the negative control, while the second group was the positive control, in which arthritis was induced using hydroxyzine. The third group included rabbits with induced arthritis and treated with berberine, and the fourth group consisted of rabbits with induced arthritis and treated with leflunomide. The molecular study results demonstrated that celecoxib exhibited a highly comparable binding affinity with the receptor, when compared to berberine and its active components. Additionally, it showed significant efficacy in inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), contributing to the reduction of joint inflammation and associated pain. These findings suggest its potential as a future natural therapeutic option, which may help minimize the side effects associated with conventional chemical treatments. The study found that berberine effectively reduced rheumatoid factor levels and C-reactive protein, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for RA.