Anti-inflammatory and Anti-ulcerogenic Effect of Crotalaria juncea Linn.   in Albino Rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiarthritic activity of ethanolic extract of the leaves of Crotalaria juncea (CJE) in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis model in rats, and also to evaluate anti-ulcerogenic activity of CJE.Arthritis was induced in male albino Wistar rats by injection of CFA (0.1 mL) into the left foot pad of the animals. Treatment with CJE at 200 and 400 mg/kg and standard indomethacin (0.3 mg/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 antiarthritic activity was evaluated. Anti-ulcerogenic potential of CJE was also evaluated. For possible mechanism of anti-ulcerogenic potential, appetite suppressant activity was recorded. The drug CJE produced reduction in the inflammation of the paw produced due to CFA. The antiarthritic action started on the day 5 and continued till day 12 and the activity was comparable to that of the standard on both days. In indomethacin treated animals ulcer was observed, where as CJE was found to protect the animals from ulcer formation which may be due to appetite suppressant activity.CJE significantly inhibited adjuvant induced arthritis and has significant anti-inflammatory effect (p