Antiarthritic activity of Abrus precatorius in Albino rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiarthritic activity of water extract of leaves of Abrus precatorius (AP) on arthritis induced model in rats. Arthritis was induced in male albino Wister rats by injection of croton oil (0.1 ml) into the left foot pad of the animals. Treatment with AP at 200 and 400 mg/kg dose and standard indomethacin (0.3 mg/kg) was started on the same day and continued up to day 12. The paw volume was measured and antiathritic activity evaluated on days 1, 5, 12 and 21 after treatment. The extract of AP produced reduction in the inflammation of the paw produced due to croton oil. The antiarthritic action started on day 5 and continued till day 12 and the activity was comparable to that of the standard on both days. AP significantly inhibited adjuvant induced arthritis and has significant ant-inflammatory effect (P<0.05).