Abstract

Gouty arthritis is caused due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints which is the by-product of purine metabolism in our body. The elevated level of uric acid in the blood is known as hyperuricemia that may result in deposition and inflammation of joints. This research experiment has examined the protective effect of Bacopa monnieri a herb against the monosodium urate crystal-induced gouty arthritis in female Wistar albino rats. The rats were divided into four groups with six rats in each group. Group-I was normal was normal control rats, group-II rats were induced with monosodium urate crystal, group-III was administrated with B. monnieri in monosodium urate crystal-induced rats and group-IV was administrated with indomethacin in monosodium urate crystal-induced rats. The rats were examined for liver enzyme markers, antioxidant assays and paw histopathology. The results of B. monnieri were compared with that of standard drug indomethacin. The symptoms of arthritis like the elevation of paw volume, increased liver enzyme markers, decreased antioxidant enzymes and histopathological changes were found to be reversed to the normal level by the treatment with B. monnieri which is due to its anti-inflammatory properties. As conclusion, B. monnieri has shown its anti-arthritic properties against gouty arthritis.

Key words: Gouty arthritis, Bacopa monnieri, monosodium urate crystal, indomethacin, anti-arthritis.