INVESTIGATING THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF MEDICINAL PLANTS TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS, PIPER NIGRUM AND CICHORIUM INTYBUS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Arthritis, encompassing over 200 rheumatic diseases affecting joints and connective tissues, is a prevalent inflammatory bone disorder. Osteoarthritis (OA), osteoporosis (OP), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are among the most common types, with OP and RA exhibiting higher prevalence rates. This study focuses on the anti-arthritic potential of specific medicinal plants—Tribulusterrestris, Piper nigrum, and Cichoriumintybus—from Zygophyllaceae, Piperaceae, and Asteraceae families, targeting gouty arthritis. The research involves preparation of hydro-ethanolic extracts from these plants and assessing their anti-arthritic efficacy. The goal is to contribute to understanding and managing arthritic disorders through comprehensive methodologies. Auto-antigen synthesis is implicated in arthritis, leading to tissue protein denaturation. Hydro-ethanolic extracts of the plants demonstrate a significant reduction in albumin denaturation, comparable to NSAIDs' anti-inflammatory effects. Effect of ethanolic 70% extracts of medicinal plant Piper nigrumprevented 70.24%, 58.92%, 47.00% protein denaturation at the concentration of 250, 125, 62.5µg/ml. Similarly, Cichoriumintybusand Tribulusterrestrisprevented 76.72%, 60.01%, 45.89% and 71.95%, 59.76%, 47.0% at the concentration of 250, 125, 62.5µg/ml anti-arthritic activity. In conclusion, this study provides anti-arthritic potential of these medicinal plants, emphasizing their role in managing arthritis. The observed effects on protein denaturation suggest a novel avenue for developing natural interventions for arthritic disorders.