ANTIARTHRITIC ACTIVITY OF ROOT EXTRACTS OF COCCULUS HIRSUTUS Research Article

The anti-arthritic effect of oral administration of methanolic and aqueous extracts of root (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o., n=6) of Cocculus hirsutus was evaluated using Freund’s adjuvant arthritis model in Wistar albino rats. The acute toxicity studies were carried out according to the CPCSEA guidelines. Arthritis was induced by injecting 0.1ml of complete Freund’s adjuvant below the plantar aponeurosis of the right hind paw. Treatment with the extracts and standard started on the day of induction of inflamogens and continue up to 21 days.The body weight loss that was found during the arthritic condition was corrected on treatment with methanolic extracts of root of Cocculus hirsutus linn. The swelling of the paw during the secondary lesions was also markedly reduced. Various hematological parameters like total WBC count, ESR and RBC were also estimated. The results of the present study support the traditional use of this plant and it can be used as anti-arthritic drug.