Phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of Centella asiatica for Anti-arthritic activity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7439/ijbr.v17i1.5928Keywords:
Centella asiatica, Anti-arthritic activity, Complete Freund's Adjuvant, Rheumatoid arthritis, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Triterpenoids, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatoryAbstract
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by synovial inflammation, cartilage degradation, bone erosion, pain, and progressive joint dysfunction. Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. contains triterpenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, and saponins with reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Objective: The study aimed to perform pharmacognostical and phytochemical standardization of C. asiatica and evaluate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-arthritic potential of its hydroalcoholic extract.
Materials and Methods: Authenticated whole plant was subjected to pharmacognostical and physicochemical evaluation. Hydroalcoholic extract (70:30 ethanol-water) was prepared and analyzed for phytoconstituents, total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), triterpenoid content (TTC), and asiaticoside by HPTLC. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by protein-denaturation, membrane-stabilization, and proteinase-inhibition assays; antioxidant activity by DPPH and hydrogen-peroxide scavenging. Acute oral toxicity was evaluated per OECD 423. Anti-arthritic activity was studied in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats.
Results: Extractive yield was 16.84 ± 0.28% w/w. TPC, TFC, and TTC were 76.42 ± 2.31 mg GAE/g, 43.18 ± 1.76 mg QE/g, and 96.40 ± 3.70 mg AAE/g, respectively. Asiaticoside content was 1.42 ± 0.07% w/w (Rf 0.45 ± 0.01). The extract showed concentration-dependent inhibition in vitro; DPPH IC₅₀ was 189 µg/mL versus 85 µg/mL for ascorbic acid. No toxicity was observed up to 2000 mg/kg. In CFA-induced arthritis, 200 and 400 mg/kg extract reduced paw swelling by 42.59% and 57.41%, respectively, versus 67.59% with diclofenac. Improvements were noted in hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters.
Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of C. asiatica demonstrated coherent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-arthritic activity, likely attributable to triterpenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, and saponins. Experimental validation with genuine laboratory data is required before publication.
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