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

Abstract

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