ANTIARTHRITIC ACTIVITY OF NARDOSTACHYS JATAMANSI ROOT EXTRACT ON FREUND’S ADJUVANT INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN RATS

The present research work was aimed to evaluate anti-arthritic activity of methanolic extract of Nardostachys jatamansi root on Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis model in rats. Dried root powder was extracted and coded as NJRE (Nardostachys jatamansi root extract). Antiarthritic activity of NJRE was screened at the doses of 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg p.o. Treatment with NJRE markedly reduced paw volume, arthritic index, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Total White Blood Cell (WBC) count, while markedly increasing Red Blood Cell (RBC) count and Hb as compared to arthritic animals. Rheumatoid Factor was significantly reduced in NJRE treated group when compared to arthritic animals. The abnormalities found in histopathological studies of joints of arthritic animals were prevented by the administration of NJRE 400 mg/kg. It can be concluded that NJRE possesses a significant antiarthritic activity that may be due to the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, phenols and tannins.