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In the present study, azothioprine, chloroquine, D-penicillamine, methotrexate and sodium aurothiomalate (gold salt) were evaluated for possible disease-modifying effects in the adjuvantinduced arthritis model of human rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Gait analysis was used to examine the role of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in the development of pain. Body weights were also measured to monitor the progression of disease and the systemic antiarthritic effects of the test compounds used in this study, as well as their systemic toxicity. Our results showed that azothioprine (5 mg/kg/day), chloroquine (12.5 mg/kg/day), sodium aurothiomalate (2.5 mg/kg/day) and methotrexate (1 mg/kg/week) not only inhibited the macroscopic changes such as erythema and swelling of limbs, but also exhibited significant reversal of gait deficits seen in the untreated or saline-treated arthritic rats. No reduction in the body weights were observed in the arthritic rats treated with azothioprine, chloroquine, sodium aurothiomalate and methotrexate. D-Penicillamine (12.5 mg/kg/ day), however, showed a significant reduction (P < 0.03) in the body weights of the arthritic rats over a period of 22 days; furthermore, it was unable to show any reduction in arthritic score (P < 0

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis, disease of unknown causes is a rheumatic and autoimmune pathology, recognised for its increasing frequency and its adverse consequences. It is a disease that occurs in most cases between 50 and 60 years and women are more affected than men. This study aimed at evaluating immunomodulatory and anti-arthritis capacity of aqueous and methanol extracts of stem bark of Piptadeniastrum africanum (Mimosaceae).MethodsROS production from phagocytes, proliferation of T-cells, TNF-α and IL-1β production and cytotoxicity were performed by using chemiluminescence technique, liquid scintillation counter, ELISA and MTT assay, respectively. Anti-arthritic activity was evaluated using a model of adjuvant induced arthritis.ResultsMethanol and aqueous extracts of Piptadeniastrum africanum significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited extracellular and intracellular ROS production. These extracts also possess significant (P < 0.001) inhibitory activity on T-cell proliferation other than reduced TNF-α and IL-1β production. Piptadeniastrum africanum also significantly exhibited antiarthritic activity in complete Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis in rat associated with a significant anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesia activity.ConclusionsImmunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antihyperalgesia and anti-arthritis potential revealed in this study approve that, Piptadeniastrum africanum is a plant rich in compounds with anti-arthritic properties.

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