Antiarthritic efficacy of Clematis orientalis

Abstract

<p class="Abstract"><em>Clematis orientalis</em> has been used traditionally to cure rheumatism, but its efficacy has not been scientifically explored in treating rheumatoid arthritis. The present study was designed to investigate the antiarthritic efficacy of <em>C. orientalis</em> using blockade of heat-induced protein alterations and HRBC membrane stabilization methods along with formaldehyde induced arthritis in rats. Aqueous ethanol (30:70) extract and various fractions (hexane, n-butanol and aqueous) produced concentration-dependent and significant (p&lt;0.001) inhibition of protein (egg albumin and bovine serum albumin) denaturation and red blood cell membrane stabilization at 50-6400 ug/mL concentration. Similarly in formaldehyde induced arthritis plant extract and fractions revealed the considerable reduction in paw swelling and its diameter at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg with maximum (p&lt;0.001) effect at the highest dose. Thus present findings imply that aqueous ethanol extract as well as different fractions of <em>C. orientalis</em> has noteworthy antiarthritic potential supporting its folkloric use in inflammatory arthritic conditions.</p>