POTENTIAL ANTI- RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS EFFECTS OF ETHANOL EXTRACT FROM GARDENIA FRUITS (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) IN ALBINO MICE MODEL (Mus musculus)

Abstract

The gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) possesses the potential of antioxidants, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. G. jasminoides fruits are reported to be used as a folk medicine for treating various ailments such as detoxification, diuretic, gastrointestinal disease, sores, and swollen joints, etc. However, the therapeutic effects of ethanol extraction from the gardenia fruits (EtGJ) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), another significant autoimmune inflammatory disorder, have not been elucidated. Herein, we explored the anti-arthritic effects of EtGJ on Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced arthritis (CFA) in mice. The ethanol extract of the gardenia fruits was obitained from the ethanol solvent and phytochemically screened by the qualitative method. CFA was intradermally injected to induce RA in Swiss albino mice. Assessment of clinical arthritis severity was measured using the arthritis scoring method. Assessment of histological arthritis severity was measured using the method to assess joint disease tissue. Hematology and biochemical parameters were measured by automatic hematology and biochemistry analyzer. Joint diameter and circumference were measured with a digital Vernier caliper. Oral EtGJ treatment (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg) ameliorated mouse RA by decreasing the levels of white blood cells, rheumatoid factors, and C-reactive protein, decreasing the joint diameter and circumference as well as reducing arthritis scores. EtGJ also suppressed pannus array formation, infiltration, and proliferation of inflammatory cells, restoring joint cartilage in joint disease tissues. So, the therapeutic effects of EtGJ in RA mice were through anti-inflammatory activity. The results of current research suggest that ethanol extract from gardenia fruits has the potential to treat rheumatoid arthritis.