Al-Hikmah University Journal

The study assessed the antiarthritic and antioxidant effects of aqueous extract of Paullinia pinnata leaf (AEPPL) in formaldehyde-induced arthritic rats. A total of thirty female Wistar rats were randomized into six groups (A-F) of five rats. Each group received distinct treatments: Group A served as the normal control and received distilled water, while groups B to F were pre-treated orally with varying doses of AEPPL or diclofenac, a known anti inflammatory agent. Throughout the nine-day experimental period, parameters including paw thickness and body weight were meticulously monitored. Arthritis induction was done on day 1 and replicated on the third day to ensure sustained inflammatory conditions. Following the treatment regimen, the rats were sacrificed, and analysis carried out on blood and liver of the animals. Remarkably, AEPPL exhibited a significant reduction in paw thickness and alleviated body weight loss, particularly evident at the dosage of 100 mg/kg. Hematological analyses unveiled improvements in key parameters, such as white blood cell count, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin levels, notably in groups treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg AEPPL. Antioxidant enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase, exhibited dose-dependent increase in AEPPL-treated rats. Histopathological examinations of the ankle joint corroborated these findings, revealing diminished inflammation in rats treated with AEPPL. These comprehensive results underscore the potential of AEPPL as a promising source for the development of antiarthritic agents, owing to its robust antioxidant properties and notable therapeutic efficacy.