<i>Jasminum sambac</i> (L.) Alleviates Rheumatoid Arthritis: Synergistic or Complementary Action? A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Investigation

Abstract

Background: Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton (JS) has promising anti-arthritic activity and is traditionally considered an analgesic. Although JS has been reported to exhibit multiple therapeutic values, its role in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is under extensive research. The biological effect of β-sitosterol was evident in crude extracts and isolated fractions for various inflammatory disorders. However, it is still unclear if β-sitosterol is the only chemical constituent that contributes most to the reported anti-arthritic activity of JS. Objectives: The current study was designed to ascertain the role of β-sitosterol present in the ethanol extract of JS on Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) induced Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis (AIA) model in Wistar rats. Methodology: The rats were injected with CFA and treatment (days 0 to 28) with vehicle (control), ethanol extract of JS (JSE 400 mg/kg) and β- sitosterol (2 mg/kg). The estimated parameters were clinical signs, oxidative biomarkers, inflammatory markers, and ankle joint destruction, using the CT scan technique. Results: The chronic JSE treatment significantly decreased swelling and reduced the severity of arthritis. Myeloperoxidase activity, an inflammatory marker, decreased while the free radical scavenging activity was significantly elevated. However, β-sitosterol failed to alleviate inflammation and scavenge free radicals in arthritic rats. Similarly, extensive osteopenia and erosion were displayed in β-sitosterol treated rats whereas JSE treatment has marked improvement in bone structure restoration. Conclusion: The outcome demonstrates anti-arthritic activity of JSE but β-sitosterol failed to exhibit similar efficacy on its own. Interestingly, HPTLC analysis detected β-sitosterol in JSE but individual β-sitosterol lacked therapeutic outcome of JSE. It suggests that the potent activity of JS cannot be attributed to β-sitosterol alone but other vital chemical constituent/s may contribute to the observed alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis by JSE in rats.