Protective Effect of Proteins Derived from the Latex of Calotropis procera against Inflammatory Hyperalgesia in Monoarthritic Rats

Abstract

Calotropis procera (family: Apocynaceae) is a plant growing in the wild and has been used in the traditional medicinal system for the treatment of various diseases. The plant produces milky latex that possesses potent antiinflammatory and analgesic properties. In present study the non-dialysable protein fraction isolated from the latex (LP) of this plant was evaluated for its efficacy against inflammation in rats where paw edema was induced by sub-plantar injection of carrageenin or monoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA). The effect of LP was evaluated on edema volume in the paw model and on joint diameter, stair climbing ability, motility, dorsal flexion pain, levels of oxidative stress markers and joint histology in arthritis model. The protection afforded by LP was compared with that of standard antiinflammatory drug, diclofenac (5 mg/kg). LP exhibited a dose-dependent antiinflammatory effect and produced 32% and 60% inhibition of paw edema at 10 and 25 mg/kg doses and 12% and 36% inhibition of joint inflammation at 50 and 150 mg/kg doses. The protective effect of LP was associated with normalization of joint functions, histology and levels of oxidative stress markers in joint tissue. The findings of this study suggest that the protein fraction of latex of Calotropis procera has the potential to relieve inflammation and pain associated with various arthritic conditions.

Untitled

“…[54] Latex of C. procera shows anti-arthrictic activity and cut down arthritic pain in joints [ Table 1]. [55] Korean red ginseng saponin fraction rich in gensenoside-Rb-1, Rc, and Rb2 attenuates the severity of mouse collagen-induced arthritis. [56] …”

Calotropis procera latex proteins ameliorate functional limitations associated with adjuvant induced inflammation in rat

“…The isolation of proteins from C. procera latex as described earlier includes latex collection in distilled water, centrifugation, dialysis and lyophilization [4]. The study was performed in Wistar albino rats of either sex (150 to 180 gm) already trained to climb a staircase.…”

“…The dorsal flexion pain (DFP) was scored 1 each for squeaking and leg withdrawal while flexing the ankle joint and the test was performed five times at an interval of 5 s. The SCA, motility and DFP scores in normal rats were 3, 2 and 0 while in arthritic rats the maximum joint function impairment was represented by the scores 0, 0 and 10 respectively [4]. The time to attain the SCA and motility score equivalent to that in NC group was recorded.…”

“…The animals were sacrificed on day 16, joint tissue dissected out and stored at -80 o C for biochemical analysis. A similar set of 3 rats per group was included in the study to evaluate the effect of drugs on joint histology on day 16 [4].…”

“…Previously our laboratory has demonstrated the efficacy of LP in ameliorating joint dysfunction, inhibiting the release of mediators and to preserve joint architecture at the time of peak inflammation in arthritic rats [4]. Based on these findings we designed this time-course study to evaluate the effect of LP on inflammation index, joint function recovery time and parameters like markers of oxidative stress, joint tissue histology at the time of functional recovery in arthritic rats.…”