Title:Appraisal of Anti-Arthritic and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Folkloric
Medicinal Plant Peganum harmala
Volume: 22
Issue: 1
Author(s): Muhammad Furqan Akhtar*, Syed Ahmad Raza, Ammara Saleem*, Irfan Hamid, Mirza Muhammad Faran Ashraf Baig, Ali Sharif, Kashif Sohail, Zeeshan Javaid, Uzma Saleem and Azhar Rasul
Affiliation:
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad,
Pakistan
Keywords:
Rheumatoid arthritis, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, complete Freund’s adjuvant, Peganum harmala.
Abstract: Background & Objective: Peganum harmala has been traditionally used to manage
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory conditions. However, its use against RA has not
been scientifically evaluated. The current study was designed to assess the anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory
activities of the methanolic extract of P. harmala leaves by in vitro and in vivo methods.
Methods: The in vitro assays were carried out to determine the effect of plant extract on inhibition
of egg albumin denaturation and human red blood cell membrane (HRBC) stabilization. Moreover,
2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity was performed to determine the antioxidant
potential. In vivo anti-arthritic activity was performed by determining the curative effect
against Complete Freund’s adjuvant (0.1 ml). The plant extract was administered to rats orally at
200, 400 and 600 mg/kg/day for 21 days.
Results: The values of IC50 of plant extract in protein denaturation, stabilization of HRBC and
DPPH assays were 77.54 mg/ml, 23.90 mg/ml and 58.09 μg/ml, respectively. Moreover, the plant
extract significantly attenuated the poly-arthritis and weight loss, anemia and paw edema. The
plant extract restored the level of C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, alanine transaminase, aspartate
transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in poly-arthritic rats. Moreover, the plant extract restored
the immune organs’ weight in treated rats. Treatment with P. harmala also significantly subdued
the oxidative stress by reinstating superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, catalase and
malondialdehyde in poly-arthritic rats. The plant extract notably restored the prostaglandin-E2 and
tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the serum of poly-arthritic rats.
Conclusion: It was concluded that P. harmala extract had potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
and antiarthritic activities, which primarily might be attributed to alkaloids, flavonoids and
phenols.
