Evaluation of anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activities of Martynia annua L. Ethanolic extract

Abstract Background Arthritis is a disorder of change in joint architecture and ligament degeneration. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which body’s immune system targets own cells and degrade them. Martynia annua L. has been used in Indian traditional therapies for the treatment of epilepsy, many types of inflammations, respiratory infection, sore throat and wound. The objective of the present study was to determine anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of M. annua ethanolic fruit extract. Methods The extraction was performed using ethanol as a solvent followed by phytochemical investigation of M. annua ethanolic fruit extract. Antioxidant and anti-hyaluronidase enzyme inhibition activities was performed for the fruit extract. In vivo anti-inflammatory of fruit extract was performed on Calotropis procera latex (CPL) induced paw edema in rats using ibuprofen as standard. Inflammation was observed at 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 h. In vivo anti-arthritic of fruit extract was performed on Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in rats. Arthritis was observed at 0, 7, 14 and 21 day. X-Ray study was also performed for inflammatory and arthritic paw of rats. Results The qualitative phytochemical screening of fruit extract showed presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, glycosides, proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids and polysaccharides. The antioxidant activity of fruit extract was 49.1 as compared to standard 45.73 at 100 μl dose. The anti-hyaluronidase enzyme inhibition activity of fruit extract was 84.60 as compared to standard 94.21 at 100 μl dose. Conclusion It is evident from the study that Martynia annua L. extract possess both antioxidant and hyalurinodase inhibition activity at dose dependent manner as well as anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory potential.