Antiarthritic Activity of Vernonia amygdalina in Albino Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiarthritic activity. The water extract of leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (V.A.) on arthritis induced model in rats. Arthritis was induced in male Wistar albino rats by injection of croton oil (0.1ml) into the left foot pad of the animals. Treatment with V.A. (200 and 400mg/kg b.w.). The standard anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin (0.3mg/kg) was started on the same day and continued up to day 12. The paw volume was measured on day 1, 5, 12 and 21 for both the paws and antiathritic activity was evaluated. The extract of V.A produced reduction in the volumes of the paw produced by croton oil. The antiarthritic action started on day 5 and continued till day 12 and the activity was comparable to that of the standard drug within the treatment period. V.A. significantly inhibited adjuvant induced arthritis and had significant ant-inflammatory effect (P≤0.05).Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, Antiarthritic Effect, Croton Oil