Efficacy of Guaiacum Officinale on Rheumatoid Arthritis and its Possible Role on Inflammatory Pathway through an Experimental In-Vitro and Clinical Models

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by symmetric, erosive synovitis along with extra articular involvement. Alternative medical intervention like Homoeopathy plays an essential role in the management of RA. The objective of the study highlights the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative potential of Homoeopathic mother tincture of Guaiacum Officinale (GUA)on raw cell line which have been extensively used to control the pain and inflammation of RA patients and also to evaluate the effect of the same in clinical setting. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cell viability of GUA. To establish a precise role in antioxidant activity, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified with DCFDA. The release of TNF-α, COX-2 was measured in the supernatants of PBMC cells treated with LPS in the absence or presence of GUA using ELISA kit. For clinical trial, 30 diagnosed cases of RA, attended on Out Patient Department of ANSS Homoeo Medical College Hospital and special medical camp were randomised to two Groups.(Group A: Homoeopathic Constitutional treatment; Group B:Homoeopathic Constitutional treatment along with Guaiacum tincture) In the present study, MTT assay of GUA at 12.5μg/mL concentration showed no cytotoxicity on hPBMCs cells with cell viability of 89%.We also confirmed the anti-inflammatory effect of GUA in LPS activation-mediated inflammatory response and the antioxidant potential of Guaiacum Officinale. From the study, Group A patients showed significant reduction in ESR among RA patients, but it is not effectively reducing RA factor and CRP. However, in case of Group B, there is significant reduction in ESR and RA factor. There was no considerable improvement in CRP values in both groups. And through in-vitro study it is evident that Guaiacum significantly acted as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agent that can be therapeutically have a role in treating RA.