Abstract

Dr. Arvind Jowar*, Dr. Vikash Gupta, Rashmi Chourasiya, Sonal Dixit

ABSTRACT

Background & Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities of ethanolic leaf extracts of Drypetes roxburghii (Family: Euphorbiaceae) collected from the Bhopal region of Madhya Pradesh. Methods: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu (measured at 765 nm) and aluminum chloride (measured at 420 nm) methods, respectively. In vitro antioxidant potential was assessed via the DPPH radical scavenging assay at 517 nm, using ascorbic acid as a standard. Furthermore, in vivo anti-arthritic activity was investigated using a Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis rat model. This empirical model closely mimics human rheumatoid arthritis, featuring chronic joint swelling, inflammatory cell accumulation, and cartilage erosion. Paw swelling was measured as the primary indicator of inflammation and therapeutic efficacy. Results: In the DPPH assay, the $IC_{50}$ value for the D. roxburghii extract was 87.80 µg/mL, demonstrating moderate antioxidant potential that was approximately three times lower than the standard ascorbic acid ($IC_{50}$ = 27.82 µg/mL). In the in vivo CFA model, treatment with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of D. roxburghii extract significantly reduced paw volume (0.60±0.031 mL and 0.51±0.045 mL, respectively; p < 0.05) compared to the control group. This reduction in inflammation was comparable to the standard reference drug, diclofenac sodium (5 mg/kg; 0.49±0.050 mL). Conclusion: The findings indicate that the ethanolic leaf extract of D. roxburghii possesses significant antioxidant properties and effective dose-dependent anti-arthritic activity, supporting its potential therapeutic use in managing inflammatory joint diseases.