OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the standardized extract of P. amarus was investigated for its suppressive effects on type II collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (TCIA) in Sprague Dawley rats.
METHOD: The major components of the extracts, lignans and phenolic compounds were analysed by using a validated reversed phase HPLC and LC-MS/MS. A rheumatoid arthritis rat model was induced by administering a bovine type II collagen emulsion subcutaneously at the base of tail, on day 0 and 7 of the experiment. Effects of the extract on severity assessment, changes in the hind paw volume, bone mineral density, body weight and body temperature were measured. Concentrations of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-6) released, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3 MMP-9) and their inhibitor (TIMP-1), haematological and biochemical changes were also measured. ELISA was used to measure the cytokines and proteinases in the rat serum and synovial fluid according to manufacturer's instructions.
RESULTS: The extract dose-dependently modulated the progression in physical parameters (i.e. decrease in body weight, increase in body temperature, reduced hind paw volume, reduced the severity of arthritis), bone mineral density, haematological and biochemical perturbations, serum cytokines production and levels of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitor in the synovial fluid. Histopathological examination of the knee joint also revealed that the extract effectively reduced synovitis, pannus formation, bone resorption and cartilage destruction.
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the oral administration of a standardized extract of P. amarus was able to suppress the humoral and cellular immune responses to type II collagen, resulting in the reduction of the development of TCIA in the rats.
AIM OF THE STUDY: However, there are no scientific reports documented on the wound healing activities of this plant against Staphylococcus aureus infections in the Sprague Dawley male rat model. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the wound healing potential of E. guineensis extract leaves.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The crude extract was prepared in 10% (w/w) ointment and evaluated for wound healing activity using excision and infected wound models in Sprague Dawley rats. The wound healing activity was evaluated from wound closure rate, CFU reduction, histological analysis of granulation tissue and matrix metalloprotease expression.
RESULTS: The results show that the E. guineensis extract has potent wound healing ability, as manifest from improved wound closure and tissue regeneration supported by histopathological parameters. Assessment of granulation tissue every fourth day showed a significant reduction in the microbial count. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases was well correlated with the other results, hence confirming E. guineensis wound healing activity's effectiveness.
CONCLUSIONS: E. guineensis enhanced infected wound healing in rats, thus supporting its traditional use.