IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTIARTHRITIC POTENTIAL OF SOME TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS AND THEIR PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS

Traditional medicinal plants cure inflammation throughout the world, particularly in impoverished nations with little resources. The present study aimed to assess the anti-arthritic efficacy of hydroethanolic extracts of Peganum hermala, Operculina turpathum, and Semicarpus anacardium. Initially, hydro-ethanolic (30/70) extracts were employed for phytochemical analysis. Fourier transform infrared studies were carried out at 4000- 400cm-1. The plant extracts were evaluated in vitro against diclofenac sodium as a control utilizing membrane stabilization and protein denaturation techniques. P.harmala (500µg/ml) showed the highest (97%) percentage inhibition, followed by S. anacardium (75%) and O.terpathum (74%) with same dose, as per results of in vitro anti-arthritic activity in the protein denaturation method. Defense of Human Red Blood Cells (HRBC) membrane stabilization was highest in O.terpethum (44%):then P.hermala (41%):and S.anacardium (40%):while it is 35% in standard drug. It is determined that hydroalcoholic extracts of plants are more potent than diclofenac in inhibiting protein denaturation and defending Human Red Blood Cell membrane stability. The above findings validated traditional applications of these plants as anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic drug. However, more pharmacological studies might be conducted to validate their efficacy and mechanism of action.