EXPLORING THE ANTI-ARTHRITIC EFFICACY OF GLOBULARIA Alypum ON FORMALDEHYDE-INDUCED ARTHRITIS

To evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of Methanol extract of leaves of Globularia alypum in Formaldehyde induced paw edema of rats. Methods: The leaves of Globularia alypum were subjected to methanol extraction, producing a yield of 24.55% w/w and containing 225.76 ± 75.44 mg/g of phenolic compounds, measured as quercetin equivalents. An acute toxicity study (OECD 423) at 2000 mg/kg confirmed the extract’s safety, with no observed adverse effects. Five groups of six Wistar albino rats were assigned as follows: Group I (normal, saline-treated), Group II (control, formaldehyde 0.05 ml/kg, 10% v/v), Group III (standard, formaldehyde + Ibuprofen 15 mg/kg), Group IV (formaldehyde + MGA 200 mg/kg), and Group V (formaldehyde + MGA 400 mg/kg). Treatments were given orally, and paw edema was assessed at 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes postformaldehyde injection. Liver enzymes (ALP, ALT), inflammatory markers (CRP, RF), and liver tissue histopathology were also examined. Results: The methanol extract of Globularia alypum (MGA) significantly lowered paw edema at both doses, with the 400 mg/kg dose achieving a 61.72 ± 0.19% reduction at 240 minutes, comparable to Ibuprofen’s 64.84 ± 0.13% inhibition. Biochemical tests revealed decreased levels of liver and inflammatory markers in treated groups, while histopathological analysis showed a dose-dependent protective effect on the liver, with the higher dose notably reducing cellular damage and inflammation. Conclusion: The Methanol extract of Globularia alypum exhibits substantial anti-arthritic and hepatoprotective effects, likely due to its phenolic constituents and capacity to suppress inflammatory pathways, positioning it as a promising natural option for arthritis treatment.