EFFECTS OF FRUIT PEEL EXTRACTS OF ANNONA SQUAMOSA L. FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IN MICE

Abstract

Annona squamosa is a tropical fruit tree, it belongs to the Annonaceae family, which is very common in Vietnam. Fruit peel extracts of Annona squamosa (AS) contains phenolic, alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoid, saponin, steroid, terpenoids, and acid kaurenoic; it has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory effects [1,2]. In this study, rheumatoid arthritis mouse model was established by Freund′s complete adjuvant (FCA) and the effect of fruit peel extracts of Annona squamosa for the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated. After 14 weeks, the fruit peel extracts AS (400mg/kg body weight) altered the body weight, thymus and spleen weights, blood WBC, CRP, RF number, diameter of joints, temperature and volume of foot induced by FCA. Histological analysis revealed that fruit peel extracts of AS inhibited invasion of the immune cells into the joint substrate, reduced the fiber formation and restored cartilage structure synovial membrane. Therefore, AS fruit peel extract prevents inflammatory cell growth of rheumatoid arthritis, increases the number of leukocytes and improves the body's immunity.