Catechin Attenuates Complete Freund’s Adjuvant Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis: Role of Histidine Decarboxylase

Abstract

Background: Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves inflammation and immune response in joints due to release of various inflammatory mediators. Objective: The objective of present study was to investigate anti-arthritis activity of catechin on complete Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis models in rats. Materials and methods: Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by sub plantar injection of the left hind paw with 0.1ml of complete Freund’s adjuvant. Catechin was given orally once a day from day 1 to day 21 at the dose of 100mg/kg, p.o. and after which physical parameters like arthritic index, paw edema, paw thickness, splenomegaly and thymus index, biochemical and hematological parameters like C-reactive protein, serum rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and % hemoglobin and histopathology of ankle joints were carried out. Results: Treatment of catechin to freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis showed significant improvement in physical parameters like arthritic index, paw edema, paw thickness, splenomegaly and thymus index as well as reduction of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein, serum rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and hemoglobin % as compared to disease control group. Furthermore, in the disease control group protective effect of catechin was observed in hyperplasia of synovium, pannus formation and destruction of the joint space. Conclusion: From the present study we can conclude that catechin exhibited ameliorative effect by acting on immune system in experimental models of adjuvant induced arthritis.