Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
The traditional use of Olax subscorpioidea root extracts for arthritis management in rural areas, where NSAIDs and biologic drugs are unaffordable, lacks scientific validation. This study aimed to investigate the anti-arthritic and antioxidant properties of ethanol and aqueous root extracts of Olax subscorpioidea Afzel in albino rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. A total of 135 albino rats were divided into nine groups of 15 rats each. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was induced in groups 2-9 through intradermal injection of 0.1 ml Chicken type II collagen-Complete Freund’s adjuvant in the left hind paw. Starting from day 10 post-induction, the rats were treated with the extracts at doses of 400, 600, and 800 mg/kg body weight for 32 days. Sample analysis was conducted using spectrophotometric methods. Arthritic rats exhibited significantly elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (P<0.05) and reduced levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and tocopherol compared to normal control rats. Treatment with Olax subscorpioidea extracts significantly reversed these effects in a time- and dose dependent manner. The efficacy of the extracts was comparable to the standard drug indomethacin (P<0.05). This study provides scientific evidence that ethanol and aqueous root extracts of Olax subscorpioidea possess significant anti-arthritic and antioxidant activities. These extracts potentially enhance antioxidant levels, reduce oxidative stress, and mitigate arthritic conditions, supporting their traditional use and suggesting potential therapeutic applications in rheumatoid arthritis management. Keywords: Anti-arthritic, Antioxidant, Olax subscorpioidea, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Oxidative Stress, Ethanol Extract, Aqueous Extract, Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis
Nkiru Nwamaka Ezeani (Thu,) studied this question.