ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT OF Buchholzia coriacea ETHANOL LEAF-EXTRACT AND FRACTIONS ON FREUND’S ADJUVANT-INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN ALBINO RATS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Several studies have implicated reactive oxygen species in perpetuation of inflammation and subsequent destruction of joints in patients with arthritis. Antioxidant effects of Buchholzia coriacea ethanol leaf-extract, aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions on oxidative stress indices in rheumatoid arthritic female wistar albino rats were examined. 180 rats were randomly divided into 12 groups. Fifteen rats were placed in each group. Rats without arthritis were placed in Group 1. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced in groups 2 to 12 by intradermal injection of 0.1 ml complete Freund’s adjuvant into the left hind paws of rats. Group 2 (arthritic rats) did not receive any treatment but rather were given normal saline while group 3 (arthritic rats) received 5 mg/kg indomethacinTM (a standard drug). Rats in Groups 4 to 12 were administered the samples at doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight. Freund’s adjuvant administration led to inflammation and oxidative stress which were marked by significant (P