ANTI-ARTHRITIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CITRUS AURANTIUM LINN. LEAVES IN COMPLETE FREUND’S ADJUVANT INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN RATS

Abstract

The present research work was carried out to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of ethanolic extract of leaves of Citrus aurantium Linn. on Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis model in rats. Dried leaves powder was extracted and coded as ECA (ethanolic extract of C. aurantium). The antiarthritic activity of ECA was screened at the doses of 300 mg kg-1 and 500 mg kg-1. Treatment with ECA significantly decreased the paw volume, diameter, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total white blood cell count, arthritic index and rheumatoid factor compared to arthritic rats. However, red blood cell counts and hemoglobin content were increased. The histopathological studies showed the preventive effect of ECA. This shows that ECA possesses significant anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activity that may help treat arthritis.