Background:
Pain and inflammation are closely associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which affects the bones and joints.
Aim:
While there are a number of therapeutic options for arthritis, their side effects restrict their use and encourage the search for alternative, natural remedies.
Methods:
In male rats, we examined the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties of Naja haje venom (NHV). Thirty adult albino rats were divided into five equal groups, each consisting of six rats. The1st group kept as control,while the 2nd group (FCA) received an injection of 0.05 mL of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) for eight days to induce RA and inflammation. The3rd group (FCA/NHVL) and the4th group (FCA/NHVH) received an injection of FCA followed by an intraperitoneal injection of 0.042 µg/kg (low; L) and 0.085 µg/kg (high; H) of lyophilized NHV, respectively, for 14 days. The5th group (FCA/Indomethacin) received an injection of FCA followed by an intraperitoneal injection of 0.25 mg indomethacin/kg for 14 days.
Results:
This study found that NHVH significantly increased the body's total antioxidant capacity (TAC) after FCA while lowering the levels of interleukinsIL-10 and IL-6, as well as the activity of genes that cause inflammation, like NF-κB and TNF-α. Furthermore, histological findings in NHVH groups showed a partial regeneration of the cartilage, bone, and synovium in the palm and ankle joint compartments.
Conclusion:
All of our findings suggest that NHV has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic qualities that may help repair the joint-damaging components caused by FCA and restore cellular equilibrium.
Key words: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Snake venom, Indomethacin, Freund's complete adjuvant, Rats
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