Abstract
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of autoimmune etiology. Current treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, glucocorticoids, and disease-modifying antirheumatoid drugs, newer agents such as tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies have adverse effects such as peptic ulcer, renal toxicity, and hematological toxicity. Moreover, they are expensive when used on a long-term basis. Hence, it is necessary to find out the new cost effective as well as less toxic drug as alternative.

Aim and Objective: The present study was taken up to evaluate antiarthritic activity of Aloe vera aqueous extract (AVE) in Wistar albino rats when used orally.

Materials and Methods: A total 36 no. of healthy Wistar albino rats of weight 100–200 mg were used and divided into six different groups containing six rats in each. Into subplantar region of hind paw of all rats except normal control, 0.1 mL of complete Freund’s adjuvant (6 mg Mycobacterium butyricum suspended in heavy paraffin oil) was injected for induction of arthritis. The rats were treated with vehicle (gum acacia), standard drugs (indomethacin and dexamethasone) and test drug, that is, AVE 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg for 12 days. The rats were evaluated by measuring the % increase in paw edema volume and paw thickness (joint diameter), assessing the biophysical parameters (arthritic score), hematological parameters erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor, and histopathological study of joints (arthritic index) for testing the antiarthritic potential.

Results: AVE 250 mg/kg showed significant antiarthritic property as that of standard indomethacin and dexamethasone in terms of reduction in inflammation and arthritic scores.

Conclusion: AVE at 250 mg/kg offered significant protection against arthritis and inflammation and can be a safer alternative for long term use.

Key words: Aloe vera Aqueous Extract; Antiarthritic Activity; Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Adjuvant Arthritis