Evaluation of protective effects of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. against FCA induced arthritis in rats

Introduction: Cuscuta reflexa (Convolvulaceae), is an Indian traditional medicinal plant with claims of antibacterial, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory properties. Present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of extracts of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. against adjuvant induced arthritis. Materials and methods: Arthritis was induced by Complete Freund’s adjuvant. Arthritic rats were treated with methanol and aqueous extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Diclofenac sodium was used as standard treatment. Protection against arthritis was investigated using various parameters like paw thickness, changes in whole body weight, weight of spleen and thymus, pain in inflammation by using thermal stimulus, radiological and histological analysis of the joint and serum levels of biochemical markers and inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and IL-6). Methanol extract of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (MECR) was fractionalized and its fraction was subjected to IR and LC/MS analysis. Results: Treatment of arthritic rats with methanol and aqueous extracts of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. significantly protected the animals from the arthritic changes as compared to the arthritic control group. Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, lipid peroxidation and other biochemical and pathological changes associated with arthritis were normalized by the treatment of MECR and AECR. Results suggest significant antiinflammatory and antiarthritic effects.