Methanolic extract of Malabar nut found to demonstrate protective effects against rheumatoid arthritis

The Malabar nut (Adhatoda vasica) can improve cases of rheumatoid arthritis, according to scientists from the University of Calcutta in India. In their research, which was published in the Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism, the team looked at the ability of the methanolic extract from the leaves of the Malabar nut to protect against the effects of arthritis using collagen-induced murine models.

• Prior to treatment, the researchers immunized 36 Swiss mice with collagen to mimic the effects of arthritis.
• These mice were then treated with the methanolic extract of Malabar nut, which ranged from 50, 100, and 200 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, respectively.
• The results revealed that the extract significantly reduced footpad swelling in treated mice.
• An examination of serum and synovial tissues after the experiment found that mice treated with A. vasica had diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil infiltration.
• In addition, the methanolic extract decreased LPO content and SOD activity, while increasing GSH and CAT activities in the liver, spleen, synovial tissues. This meant that A. vasica regulated oxidative stress.

The researchers concluded that A. vasica can regulate oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mediators, which could explain its ability to protect against the effects of rheumatoid arthritis.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Learn more about natural ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis at NaturalCures.news.

Journal Reference:

Adhikary R, Majhi A, Mahanti S, Bishayi B. PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ADHATODA VASICA NEES LEAF IN COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS BY MODULATION OF SYNOVIAL TOLL-LIKE RECEPTOR-2 EXPRESSION AND RELEASE OF PRO-INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS. Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism. March 2016;3:1–11. DOI: 10.1016/j.jnim.2015.11.001