Cyclooxygenase‐2 Inhibition and Anti‐Platelet Aggregation Activity of Astaxanthin‐Hydrogel in Comparison to Celecoxib Against Rheumatoid Arthritis in Wistar Rat Model

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease, commonly treated with celecoxib (Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor), which comes with serious cardiovascular threats. Astaxanthin is a natural carotenoid, possessing extraordinary anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet aggregation qualities. The aim of this study was to investigate the superlative effects of astaxanthin-hydrogel to inhibiting the cyclooxygenase-2 in comparison to celecoxib and its cardiac side-effects, specifically platelet aggregation. Induction of rheumatoid arthritis was accomplished by type-II-collagen/Complete Freund's adjuvant followed by a booster dose of Incomplete Freund's adjuvant and confirmed by arthritic score calculation, CRP and ACCPA tests. Astaxanthin-hydrogel was subcutaneously injected into the neck and back of arthritic Wistar rats in comparison to oral-celecoxib. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory activity was observed by rat ELISA kit and platelet aggregation was monitored by optical chrono-log aggregometer. Results were compared by statistical analysis, executed through IBMM SPSS. The anti-inflammatory activity of 20 mg/week astaxanthin-hydrogel to inhibiting the cyclooxygenase-2 for 6 weeks in arthritic wistar rats was found more effective in comparison to 20 mg/day celecoxib. Continued use of 40 mg/day celecoxib for 8 weeks has been seen involved with platelet aggregation, whereas the regimen consisting of 20 mg/week astaxanthin-hydrogel administered with 20 mg/d celecoxib for 8 weeks was observed with no platelet aggregation. Celecoxib monotherapy was found associated with a little risk of platelet aggregation, whereas along with astaxanthin-hydrogel, no platelet aggregation was found. Notably, astaxanthin-hydrogel was significant to suppress the cyclooxygenase-2 in comparison to celecoxib.