Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic relapsing autoimmune disorder. Eugenol, a main component of clove oil, possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Present investigation was designed to evaluate anti-arthritic potential of eugenol in Freund’s Complete Adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritis in male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty two male albino rats were used. Eight male rats were used as a normal control group received saline (group 1). Arthritis was induced in the 24 male albino rats by intradermal injection of 0.1 ml of FCA in the right hind paw (arthritic animals). Animals were divided into 3 groups. Arthritic control received sesame oil oral (group 2). Arthritic animals treated with indomethacin, it was used as a standard, 2 mg/kg/day orally (group 3). Arthritic animals treated with eugenol 250 mg/kg/day orally (group 4). Fourteen days after immunization, treatment was started with eugenol till 28 days. Results:  arthritic control animals showed significant elevation in serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) compared to normal control group. Treatment with eugenol exhibited significant reduction in serum level of CRP, NO, MDA and TNF-α compared with arthritic control group. Conclusion: Therefore, eugenol ameliorates experimental arthritis and could be useful as a beneficial supplement in treating human arthritis.