Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic property of ethanolic extract of Clitoria ternatea

Objective:Clitoria ternatea is a well-known bioactive plant used to treat several inflammatory ailments in Ayurvedic system of medicine in India.The present investigation aimed to determine the antiinflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of ethanolic extract of Clitoria ternatea roots(EECT) in animal models.Methods:The anti-inflammatory activity of the EECT was evaluated by carrageenan and histamineinduced paw edema.Results:EECT showed a significant reduction in mean paw edema volume in both carrageenan and histamine-induced inflammation.The efficacy of EECT in rheumatoid arthritis was tested against Freund's complete adjuvant(CFA) induced arthritic model in Wistar rats.The anti-arthritic effect of EECT was determined by systematic scoring of arthritis symptoms and measuring paw edema.A considerable decrease in paw diameter was observed in the EECT(200 and 400 mg/kg) and diclofenac(10 mg/kg) treated groups after day 7.Diclofenac(10 mg/kg) and EECT(400 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction in paw diameter from day 14 compared with CFA control(P 0.001).The anti-arthritic activity was also confirmed from the altered biochemical,haematological(Hb,RBC and WBC) and anti-oxidant parameters(SOD,MDA,CAT,and GSH).EECT(400 and 200 mg/kg) also showed a marked inhibition of joint destruction.Conclusion:This study provides a pharmacological rationale for the traditional use of C.ternatea against inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis in India.