Title:The Combined Effect of Curcumin and Crocin on the Reduction of
Inflammatory Responses in Arthritic Rats
Volume: 31
Issue: 28
Author(s): Khodabakhsh Rashidi, Mitra Korani, Houshang Nemati, Raheleh Shahraki, Shahla Korani*, Mitra Abbasifard*, Muhammed Majeed, Tannaz Jamialahmadi and Amirhossein Sahebkar*
Affiliation:
- Research Center of Oils and Fats, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Research Institute of
Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ali-Ibn Abi-Talib Hospital, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences,
Rafsanjan, Iran
- International UNESCO Center for
Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad,
Iran
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of
Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Keywords:
Arthritis, rheumatoid, crocin, curcumin, complete freund’s adjuvant, inflammatory cytokines.
Abstract:
Background: The present study evaluated the anti-arthritic impact of combined crocin
and curcumin on Adjuvant Induced Arthritis (AIA) in rats.
Methods: The arthritis model was induced in rats by injecting Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) into
the right hind paw and was subsequently treated with crocin and curcumin. Evaluation of anti-
arthritic activity was carried out using paw swelling, hematological parameters, biochemical parameters,
inflammatory cytokines, and histopathology of rats.
Results: The results showed increased paw swelling, increased serum markers levels, including CRP,
RF, ALP, ALT, and AST, and inflammatory cytokines (ILlβ and TNFα) along with histology
changes (cartilage and bone degradation) in arthritic rats when compared to the normal group.
Crocin, curcumin and crocin + curcumin administration at different doses (especially combination at
40 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg, respectively), as well as MTX, revealed a suitable therapeutic effect on AIA
rats. Moreover, both phytochemicals and their combination at different doses showed effective anti-
arthritic effects owing to their anti-inflammatory effects.
Conclusion: Crocin and curcumin, either alone or in combination, can be a suitable treatment modality
for rheumatoid arthritis.