Anti-arthritic effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of Vitex negundo Linn., (Verbenaceae) in male albino Wistar rats

Abstract

To determine the anti-arthritic effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of Vitex negundo Linn., (Verbenaceae) in male albino Wistar rats using Freund’s complete adjuvant model. The plant was collected in agricultural college, Madurai and preliminary phytoconstituents were identified by chemical analysis. The fatty materials from the leaves were extracted with petroleum ether by hot percolation method. The dried leaves were extracted with ethanol and used for the pharmacological experiments. The male Wistar rats were used for the chronopharmacological and anti-arthritic study. The arthritis was induced by Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) and anti-arthritic effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of Vitex negundo Linn (VNE), was studied at 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg dose levels. At the end of the study, the liver function test and radiological examination were carried out to assess the anti-arthritic effect of the VNE. VNE at 250 and 500 mg/kg showed significant inhibition of FCA-induced arthritis in evening time drug administered group. The animals which received VNE at evening time showed significant anti- arthritic effect than morning treated animals. VNE-treated animals showed significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight. Present study concluded that the leaves extracts of Vitex negundo showed significant anti-arthritic activity against Freund’s complete adjuvant-induced arthritis in male Wistar rats.