Investigating antiarthritic potential of polyherbal emulgel.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammation of joints with increased cellularity of synovial tissue. Allopathic drugs possess several adverse effects, which have led to increase in the utilization of herbal medicines. Polyherbal emulgel resolves the bioavailability issue associated with hydrophobic drugs and can be used effectively in the treatment of RA.

Objectives: The present study aimed at the formulation of polyherbal emulgel, and evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory activity and in vivo antiarthritic activity.

Methods: Seven emulgels F-1 to F-7 were optimally formulated. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was determined using protein denaturation method employing Diclofenac sodium as the standard. In antiarthritic study Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) model was used. The various parameters were assessed, like paw volume, body weight, hematological parameters, antioxidant parameters, Rheumatic factor (RF), and histopathological study of ankle joint.

Results: F-4 and F-7 were found to be optimized formulations as compared to other formulations. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was found to be highest in F-4 with IC 7.74 and F-7 with IC 8.87 in comparison with Diclofenac sodium having IC 57.0. Both formulations F-7 and F-4 showed a significant reduction in paw volume and normalization of body weights. The formulation F-7 even showed more potent antiarthritic activity than F-4 by decreasing white blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes, increasing packed cell volume (PCV), neutrophils, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum. This was further confirmed by histopathological study.

Conclusion: As an anti-inflammatory agent, this newly developed emulgel was found to possess more therapeutic efficacy than commercially available diclofenac sodium.