EVALUATION OF THE ANTI-ARTHRITIC EFFECT OF STERCULIA TRAGACANTHA (LINDL.) LEAF EXTRACT IN RATS

Sterculia tragacantha leaves for years have been used by traditional healers in eastern Nigeria in the treatment of arthritis, edema, gout, whitlow and cold. The aim of this study was to evaluate the folkloric claims of Sterculia tragacantha leaf extract in relieving arthritic conditions. The effects of Sterculia Tragacantha methanol leaf Extract (STEX) on formaldehyde and adjuvant-induced arthritis were studied in rats. Paw thickness, White Blood Cell Count (WBC) count, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin Concentration (HB), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), lipid peroxidation, Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) activity and catalase activity were studied post induction of arthritis. In both formaldehyde and adjuvant-induced arthritis studies, mean paw thickness in animals given 300 mg kg^-1 STEX was significantly (p<0.05) lower on days 7 and 14 compared to that of normal saline group. Mean WBC of 100 and 300 mg kg^-1v STEX groups were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of normal saline group. Mean ESR of normal saline and 100 mg kg^-1 STEX groups were significantly (p<0.05) faster than ESR of 300 mg kg^-1 group. Mean MDA level of 300 mg kg^-1 STEX group was similar to that of non-arthritic group while mean SOD levels of 300 and 100 mg kg^-1 STEX groups were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of normal saline group. Mean catalase level of 100 and 300 mg kg^-1 STEX groups were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to that of normal saline group. These results show that STEX exhibited potent anti-arthritic activity.