Efficacy of Siddha formulation Kalpaamruthaa in ameliorating joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis in rats

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a kind of chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The degradation of extracellular matrix and cartilage pave way in understanding the molecular mechanisms in RA. Degradation of cartilage is a more complex event involving the local release of metallaoproteases and lysosomal enzymes that mediate inflammation in joints and in the synovial fluid in RA. Objectives: In the present Study. the efficacy of a Siddha preparation named Kalpaamruthaa (KA) in ameliorating the disease process via markedly reducing the joint destruction was demonstrated in adjuvant induced arthritis rat model. KA consists of Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract (SA), dried powder of Emblica officinalis fruit and honey. Material and methods: Both SA and KA were administered at dose of 150mg/kg b.wt. for 14 days after 14 days of adjuvant injection in rats. The activity of lysosomal enzymes, the level of collagen, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and its degradative products were analyzed in control and experimental animals. Results and conclusion: The study revealed that KA exhibited a profound reduction (p < 0.05) in the activities of lysosomal enzymes and thereby decreasing (p < 0.05) the levels of GAGs and its fractions when compared to arthritis rats. The latter was confirmed by Safrannin O staining for GAGs in the interphalangeal joints of control and experimental animals. The effect of KA was found to be improved than SA and this might be due to the combined interactions of phytoconstituents present in KA. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.