Therapeutic effect of aegiceras corniculatum in chronic granulomatous inflammation and arthritis

Chronic inflammation is a result of long lasting of acute inflammation, if not treated or resolved, this condition is a cause of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Aegiceras corniculatum a mangrove plant has been using for many years for the treatment of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and is well known as a folklore medicine constituting various novel chemical constituents. Methodology: Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts derived from A. corniculatum were evaluated against chronic inflammation by using cotton pellet induced granuloma and Adjuvant induced arthritis models in rats. Vascular permeability and leukocyte migration were studied in the presence of extracts. Results: In cotton pellet granuloma, both the methanol and ethanol extracts were found to highly effective in reducing granulomatous tissue formation in a dose dependent manner. These extracts also suppressed the paw thickness induced by using adjuvant in rat arthritis model, at maximum oral dose of 50 mg/kg methanol extract inhibited swelling in paw by 67%, whereas ethyl acetate extract caused 75% of inhibition in paw swelling at 200 mg/kg. Additionally, ethyl acetate extract has shown inhibition in leukocytes migration (63% at 50 mg/kg) against LTB4 and carrageenan. However, methanol extract failed to produce inhibitory effect against cell infiltration induced by LTB4. Interestingly, methanol and ethyl acetate extract has shown remarkable reduction in the acetic acid induced vascular permeability. Conclusion: A. corniculatum extracts has shown remarkable effect as an anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory agent to combat with chronic inflammatory diseases, this study provides significant justification for its folklore medical use against rheumatism interfering with inflammatory and cellular immune responses. (author)