Evaluation of the anti-arthritic activity of Capparis spinosa L. roots extracts incomplete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis in mice.

This study aimed to estimate the ant-arthritic activity of Capparis spinosa L. roots extract in complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis mice by assessment of paw thickness, serological detection of inflammatory markers [rheumatoid factor (RF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-)] using ELISA, and histopathology. In total, 30 male mice were selected, prepared, and divided equally into five groups, including 2 control (NC and PC)and 3 experimental: EG1 (arthritis mice treated total effective dose of extract), EG2(arthritis mice treated total effective dose of Diclofenac Sodium), and EG3 (arthritis mice treated a half effective dose of each the extract and Diclofenac). Clinically, the extract administration lowered the paw thickness from day 7th onwards, the 21st day of study, while the extract administration lowered the paw thickness in EG1 from day 7th onwards compared to EG2 and EG3. For hematology, significant decreases were reported in RBCs, HCT, Hb, WBCs and neutrophils due to arthritis, and significant amelioration was seen obviously in mice of EG1 as a result of therapy. Significant increases in platelets, lymphocytes and monocytes were observed in PC and experimentally groups, significantly improving the values of treated groups due to therapy, in particular, EG1. All study groups ' values of MCV, MCH, MCHC, basophils and eosinophils have differed insignificantly. Concerning RF, the highest significant value was reported in PC while the lowest in NC, but without significant differences between EG1, EG2 and EG3 values. For TNF-, elevation had been recorded in PC mice, whereas reduction in NC, EG1 and EG3. Also, the value of EG2 was significantly higher than recorded in mice of EG1 and EG3. Concerning histology, the findings of EG1 revealed a significant amelioration compared to other groups. In conclusion, C. spinosa L. root extract demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. Furthermore, studies to detect the therapeutic effects of the root extract on other systemic or local diseases are needed. Keywords: Paw thickness; Rheumatoid factor; Inflammatory markers; Diclofenac Sodium; Iraq