Chrysin Is Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory against Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in a Pre-Clinical Rodent Model

Abstract

Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) has many pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory actions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of chrysin and to compare its effect with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, piroxicam, against complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in a pre-clinical model in rats. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by injecting CFA intra-dermally in the sub-plantar region of the left hind paw of rats. Chrysin (50 and 100 mg/kg) and piroxicam (10 mg/kg) were given to rats with established arthritis. The model of arthritis was characterized using an index of arthritis, with hematological, biological, molecular, and histopathological parameters. Treatment with chrysin significantly reduced the arthritis score, inflammatory cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and rheumatoid factor. Chrysin also reduced the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor, nuclear factor kappa-B, and toll-like recepter-2 and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-4 and -10, as well as the hemoglobin levels. Using histopathology and microscopy, chrysin reduced the severity of arthritis in joints, infiltration of inflammatory cells, subcutaneous inflammation, cartilage erosion, bone erosion, and pannus formation. Chrysin showed comparable effects to piroxicam, which is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The results showed that chrysin possesses anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that make it a potential drug for the treatment of arthritis.

Analysis of anti-rheumatic activity of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis via in vivo and pharmacovigilance approaches

“…Arthritis is characterized by the infiltration of inflammatory cells, subcutaneous inflammation, and synovial inflammation ( Vishnu and Krishnan, 2018 ). These findings were consistent with the outcomes reported in studies involving the treatment of rats with complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis using chrysin ( Faheem et al, 2023 ).…”

The Possible Ameliorative Role of Chrysin and Zinc on Lead Acetate Induced Nephrotoxicity in Adult Albino Rats (Biochemical, Histological and Immunohistochemical study)

“…This is in agreement with Kucukler et al (2) who demonstrated that lead acetate cause marked expression of TNF-α in renal glomeruli and interstitial tissue. This may be explained by oxidative stress, which stimulates Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-kB) and an inflammatory mechanism is triggered, which results in liberation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, mainly TNF-α (34) .…”

Synthesis and biological evaluation of chrysin derivatives containing α-lipoic acid for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

“…Extensive evidence supports the notion that chrysin exerts a wide array of anti-inflammatory effects by targeting multiple molecular pathways and their associated targets ( Zeinali et al, 2017 ). Specifically, chrysin possesses anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF, IL-1, and IL-6 ( Ahad et al, 2014 ; Faheem et al, 2023 ). However, the therapeutic effectiveness of chrysin has been hindered by its inadequate aqueous solubility and low bioavailability ( Li Y et al, 2019 ; Bhowmik et al, 2022 ).…”