Assessment of antiarthritic potential of Asparagus dumosus using formaldehyde and CFA-induced arthritic models in rats via modulation of oxidative stress biomarkers and mRNA expression of IL-1b, IL-6, RANKL, OPG, TNF- α and COX-2

This study was aimed to explore the antiarthritic potential ofA. dumosus in formaldehyde and complete Freund ’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats. Body weight, arthritic index, hepatic oxidative stress, hematological, biochemical and inflammatory markers were assessed using ELISA, whilst qRT-PCR studies were carried out for the mRNA expression of IL-1b, IL-6, RANKL, OPG, TNF-α and COX-2 genes. GCMS and HPLC analysis were performed to identify the secondary metabolites ofA. dumosus. From day 8 to 28 post-administration of formaldehyde and CFA, oral administration ofA. dumosus (600, 300 and 150  mg/kg) showed a noteworthy improvement (p <  0.001) in the body weights, immune organ weights, serum levels of rheumatoid (RA) factor, C-reactive protein, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in arthritic rats similar to the effect of piroxicam and methotrexate. Subsequently, the administration ofA. dumosus to formaldehyde and CFA-challenged rats, caused a marked decrease (p <  0.001) in the mRNA expression of IL-1b, IL-6, OPG, RANKL, TNF-α and COX-2 genes in treated rats. Likewise, when assessed for antioxidant potential,A. dumosus produced a pronounced (p <  0.001) reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, whilst a dose-dependent (p <  0.001) increase in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities was recorded. GCMS profiling ofA. dumosus presented benzaldehyde, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-, 1-decanol and undecane as...
Source: Inflammopharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research