In vitro and In vivo Anti-Arthritic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Bungarus Fasciatus Venom

In the Indian traditional medicinal system Ayurveda and Unani, the use of snake venom has been mentioned to treat various diseases including arthritis. This prompted us to investigate the anti-arthritic andanti-inflammatory activity of banded krait venom (BFV). In the present study, in vitro anti-arthritic activity of BFV was evaluated by bovine serum protein denaturation and egg albumin denaturation and in vivo antiarthritic activity was evaluated by collagenase induced arthritis in male albino Wistar rats. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by RBC membrane stabilization and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by histamine/ formalin induced paw edema in male albino Swiss mice. BFV treatment significantly inhibited bovine serum protein and egg albumin denaturation. In collagenase induced arthritis model, BFV treatment significantly reduced serum proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-17, significantly increased percentage stabilization of RBC membrane and significantly decreased histamine/ formalin induced paw edema. The findings of the present study showed that Bungarus fasciatus venom possesses significant in vitro and in vivo antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory activities and may serve as a natural biomedicinal remedial agent against inflammatory conditions.