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Mashaal K, Shabbir A, Shahzad M, Mobashar A, Akhtar T, Fatima T, Riaz B, Alharbi R, Fatima A, Alanezi AA, Ahmad A. Amelioration of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Fragaria nubicola (Wild Strawberry) via Attenuation of Inflammatory Mediators in Sprague Dawley Rats. Medicina (Kaunas) 2023; 59:1917. [PMID: 38003966 PMCID: PMC10672992 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59111917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Fragaria nubicola has never been evaluated scientifically for its anti-arthritic potential despite its use in folkloric systems of medicine. The research was conducted to assess the potential of F. nubicola against rheumatoid arthritis. Materials and Methods: The current study provided scientific evidence by evaluating the effects of plants using an in vivo CFA-induced model of arthritic rats and subsequent microscopic histopathological evaluation of ankle joints along with the determination of paw edema using a digital water displacement plethysmometer. The study also gave insight by determining levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase enzymes (MMPs), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and biochemical and hematological parameters. GCMS analysis was also conducted for the identification of possible anti-inflammatory plant constituents. Results: The data showed that F. nubicola-treated groups attenuated the progression of arthritis and paw edema. Microscopic histopathological evaluation validated the anti-arthritic potential by showing amelioration of bone erosion, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and pannus formation. RT-PCR analysis displayed that treatment with F. nubicola down-regulated IL1β, IL6, TNFα, NF-κB, VEGF, MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9 levels. Moreover, ELISA exhibited a reduction in levels of PGE2 levels in treatment groups. The levels of RBCs, platelets, WBCs, and Hb content were found to be nearly similar to negative control in the treated group. Statistically, a non-significant difference was found when all groups were compared for urea, creatinine, ALT, and AST analysis, indicating the safety of plant extract and fractions at test doses. GCMS analysis of extract and fractions showed the existence of many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phytochemicals. Conclusion: In conclusion, F. nubicola possessed anti-arthritic properties that might be attributed to the amelioration of MMPs and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Mashaal
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (K.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Arham Shabbir
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (K.M.); (A.M.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical and Allied Health Sciences, Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shahzad
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (M.S.); (T.A.)
| | - Aisha Mobashar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (K.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Tasleem Akhtar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (M.S.); (T.A.)
| | - Tabinda Fatima
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 39524, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Bushra Riaz
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 39524, Saudi Arabia; (B.R.); (R.A.); (A.F.); (A.A.)
| | - Rana Alharbi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 39524, Saudi Arabia; (B.R.); (R.A.); (A.F.); (A.A.)
| | - Afreen Fatima
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 39524, Saudi Arabia; (B.R.); (R.A.); (A.F.); (A.A.)
| | - Abdulkareem A. Alanezi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 39524, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashfaq Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 39524, Saudi Arabia; (B.R.); (R.A.); (A.F.); (A.A.)
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