Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes distinctive inflammatory symptoms and affects over 21 million people worldwide. RA is characterized by severe discomfort, swelling, and degradation of the bone and cartilage, further impairing joint function. The current study investigates the antiarthritic effect of a methanolic extract of Artemisia pallens (methanolic extract of A. pallens, MEAP), an aromatic herb. Artemisinin content (% per dry weight of the plant) was estimated using a UV Vis spectrophotometer. In the present study, animals were divided into six groups (n = 6). The control group (group I) was injected with 0.25% of carboxymethyl cellulose. The arthritic control group (group II) was treated with Freund’s complete adjuvant (by injecting 0.1 mL). Prednisolone (10 mg/kg), a lower dose of MEAP (100 mg/kg), a medium dose of MEAP (200 mg/kg), and a higher dose of MEAP (400 mg/kg) were orally delivered to groups III, IV, V, and VI, respectively. Freund’s complete adjuvant was administered into the sub-plantar portion of the left-hind paw in all the groups except vehicle control to induce rheumatoid arthritis. Weight variation; joint diameter; paw volume; thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia; hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress parameters; radiology; and a histopathological assessment of the synovial joint were observed in order to evaluate the antiarthritic effect of the methanolic extract of A. pallens. In this study, the estimated content of artemisinin was found to be 0.28% (per dry weight of the plant), which was in good agreement with the reported value. MEAP (200 and 400 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction in increased paw volume and joint diameter in arthritic rats while significantly increasing body weight and the mechanical threshold of thermal algesia. Moreover, complete blood counts and serum enzyme levels improved significantly. Radiological analysis showed a reduction in soft tissue swelling and small erosions. A histopathological examination of the cells revealed reduced cell infiltration and the erosion of joint cartilage in MEAP-administered arthritic rats. The present research suggests that the antiarthritic activity of the methanolic extract of A. pallens wall is promising, as evidenced by the findings explored in our rat model.
