Effects of Aqueous and Ethanol Root Extracts of Olax subscopioidea on Inflammatory Parameters in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Collagen Type II Induced Arthritic Albino Rats

Aim/Background: Rural and Urban dwellers in Nigeria claim to treat their arthritis with Olax subscorpioidea root extracts. One of the reasons they chose this treatment is that it is effective and cost less than orthodox drugs with their accompanying side effects. Hence the aim of this study is to investigate the anti-arthritis effects of Olax subscorpioidea Afzel ethanol and aqueous root extracts on chicken type II-Complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis rat model. Materials and Method: The anti-arthritic potential of ethanol and aqueous root extracts of Olax subscorpioidea was evaluated using the chicken type II-Complete Freund’s adjuvant model in 135 female wistar albino rats. The rats were treated with aqueous and ethanol root extracts of Olax subscorpioidea at varying doses and standard indomethacine drug. Results: The ethanol and aqueous root extracts of Olax subscorpioidea showed significant anti-arthritic activity that was statistically similar to that of indomethacine. Our results suggest that the alcoholic extract of Olax subscorpioidea showed significant (P<0.05) anti-arthritic potential.