This research work was conducted to validate the folkloric use and therapeutic potential of Quercus leucotrichophora (QL) leaf methanolic and aqueous extracts against inflammation and arthritis and to determine the chemical composition by HPLC. The in-vitro anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were carried out along with in-vivo assays such as carrageenan induced paw edema, xylene induced ear edema and Complete Freund’s Adjuvant induced arthritis in Wistar rats. The CFA (0.1 ml) was inoculated to the left hind paw at day 1 to induce arthritis and oral dosing with QLME at 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg was begun at 8th day till the 28th day in all groups while methotrexate was given as standard treatment. There was a noteworthy (p<0.05-0.0001) restoration in body weight, paw edema, arthritic index, altered blood parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers in treated rats as compared to diseased group. Moreover, QLME considerably (p<0.0001) downregulated TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and NF-κB, while significantly (p<0.0001) upregulated IL-10, I-κB, IL-4 in relation to diseased group. The QLME exhibited no mortality in acute toxicity study. It was concluded that QLME possessed substantial anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potential at all dosage levels, mainly at 600 mg/kg might be due to presence of quercetin, sinapic acid and ferulic acid.

Introduction: This research was conducted to validate the folkloric use of Quercus leucotrichophora (QL) leaf extracts against inflammation and arthritis and to determine the chemical composition using HPLC.Method: The aqueous and methanolic extracts of QL were evaluated by in vitro anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory (inhibition of protein denaturation and membrane stabilization) assays, and in vivo anti-inflammatory (carrageenan and xylene-induced edema) and anti-arthritic models. For anti-arthritic potential, 0.1 mL Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) was inoculated into the left hind paw of a Wistar rat on day 1, and oral dosing with QL methanolic extract (QLME) at 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg was begun at day 8 till the 28th day in all groups, except disease control that was given distilled water, while methotrexate was given as standard treatment.Results and discussion: There was a noteworthy (p &lt; 0.05–0.0001) restoration in body weight, paw edema, arthritic index, altered blood parameters, and oxidative stress biomarkers in treated rats as compared to the diseased group. Moreover, QLME treatment significantly (p &lt; 0.0001) downregulated TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and NF-κB, while significantly (p &lt; 0.0001) upregulating IL-10, I-κB, and IL-4 in contrast to the diseased group. The QLME exhibited no mortality in the acute toxicity study. It was concluded that QLME possessed substantial anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic potential at all dosage levels prominently at 600 mg/kg might be due to the presence of quercetin, gallic, sinapic, and ferulic acids.