Anti-Arthritic and Anti Inflammatory Activity of Beta Caryophyllene against Freund’s Complete Adjuvant Induced Arthritis in Wistar Rats

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory and autoimmune multisystem illness that affects the joints, characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane, pain and restricted joint movement [1]. Rheumatoid arthritis is systemic inflammatory disease in which the destruction of articular cartilage leads to bone deformity and loss of joint function and ultimately severe pain. It is the most common inflammatory arthritis affecting approximately 1-2% of the general population worldwide i.e. 20 million people worldwide. Incidence increases with age, with women being affected three times more than men (Arthritis Research Campaign). The risk of incidence appears to be greatest for women between 40 and 50 years of age, and for men somewhat later, which makes the rheumatoid arthritis to be an age-related immune disorder [2,3]. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, and although rarely, a spontaneous remission may occur, the natural course is almost invariably one of persistent symptoms, waxing and waning in intensity, and a progressive deterioration of joint structures leading to deformations and disability. While there are many treatments like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease modifying antirheumatoid arthritic drugs (DMARDs) available for Rheumatoid arthritis, up to 30% of patients fail to respond to treatment [3]. However, besides their high cost, prolonged use of many of these drugs is associated with severe adverse reactions such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, complications in the small intestine and colon can occur, which cause colitis, bleeding, perforation, stricture, and chronic problems such as iron deficiency anemia and protein loss and toxicity. A report also states that, NSAIDs treatment enhances joint destruction in arthritis and inhibits glycosaminoglycan synthesis. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in natural food for scavenging the free radicals because of their wide acceptance [4].