Hassan Farooq, Mariyam Iftikhar Piracha, Muhammad Usman, Rabia Tariq, Saadia Shahzad Alam.
Radiological Analysis of Hind Paw Joint in Murine Rheumatoid Arthritis Model Treated Prophylactically or Therapeutically with Cassia fistula versus Naproxen.
Proceeding Shaikh Zayed Postgrad Med Comp Jan ;34(4):58-63.

Introduction: Cassia fistula has anti-inflammatory activity. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, causing inflammation and disability of the affected joints. It is mostly treated symptomatically with NSAIDs, which themselves have a lot of adverse effects. In this study the anti-arthritic effect of Cassia fistula versus naproxen has been observed radiologically. Aims & Objectives: The present study was radiological analysis of anti-arthritic effect of Cassia fistula compared to naproxen in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) induced rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. Place and duration of study: This study was conducted at the Animal House of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore for a period of three months. Material & Methods: The study was carried out on 96 male rats divided into 12 groups of 8 rats each. Single 0.2ml dose of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) was injected in the right hind paw of each rat in all groups except Group 1 (negative control). Group 2 was positive control. The prophylactic (3-7) and therapeutic (8- 12) groups were given naproxen (25mg/kg), anthraquinone extract (250 &500mg/kg) or methanolic extract (250 & 500mg/kg) of Cassia fistula orally BD on days 1,2 &3 (first dose preceding CFA injection by 30 minutes) and on days 9,10 &11 for therapeutic groups respectively. On day 15, x-rays of right ankle joints of all groups were taken as a confirmatory investigation on the final status of the arthritis. Results: Our results showed both anthraquinone and methanolic extracts of Cassia fistula have dose dependent (500˃250mg/dl) prophylactic and therapeutic anti-arthritic potential albeit lesser than naproxen 25mg/kg, to reduce the swelling of hind paw and deformity of interphalangeal joints on radiological examination. Conclusion: The efficacy of Cassia fistula makes it a potential weaker candidate to naproxen in prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

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