Protective Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Capparis Spinosa L. Root on Inflammatory Factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Rats

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of inflammatory origin. Nowadays, anti-inflammatory effects of medicinal plants are considered as an appropriate alternative to anti-inflammatories drugs. In traditional medicine, different elements of Capparis Spinosa L have been frequently used for treating various diseases. This study was performed to assess the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of capparis spinosa root on inflammatory factors of rheumatoid arthritis in rats.

Rats were randomly divided in to 5 groups (n = 6). Rheumatoid arthritis was induced in male wistar rats using Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) in the paw planter surface of the rats right hind foot. Methotrexate and Caper root extracts (3, 100 and 300 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneal daily for 14 days. At the end of period, animals were sacrificed and then serological and hematologic parameters were evaluated.

Serum levels of Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), Interleukine-6 (IL-6), C-Reactive protein (CRP), Anti-Cyclin Citrullinated (Anti-CCP), Rheumatoid factor (RF), and levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Neutrophil, Lymphocyte, white blood cell and platelets, was significantly elevated in the rheumatoid arthritis group compared to the normal group while significantly decreased in treatment groups compared to the rheumatoid arthritis group (P < 0.001). The mean of red blood cell, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were significantly decreased in rheumatoid arthritis group compared to the normal group and were significantly higher in the treatment groups with caper root compared to the rheumatoid arthritis group (P < 0.001).

Inflammation plays an important role in the process of rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike methotrexate, with extensive side effects, extract of caper root with anti-inflammatory effect, reduces inflammatory factors and provides relative improvement of arthritis status and anemia in rats with rheumatoid arthritis.