Ethanol Extract of <i>Caryota urens</i> Lour Fruits Alleviates Oxidative Stress in a Murine Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis Induced by Freund's Complete Adjuvant

Abstract

Traditional knowledge suggests that Caryota urens L. exhibits antioxidant properties. This study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory and  antioxidant effects of ethanol extract from C. urens fruit (ECUF) on a mouse model of CFA-induced arthritis. The efficacy of ECUF was  evaluated through parameters including body weight, body and paw temperature, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH),  total protein (TP), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Results revealed significant  inflammation induced by CFA injection, evidenced by increased body temperature and paw temperature (p < 0.05), accompanied by decreased body weight (p < 0.05). Treatment with ECUF significantly reduced body temperature (37.13 ± 0.03 °C) and paw temperature  (27.22 ± 0.03 °C) (p < 0.05), while increasing body weight (35.21 ± 1.52 g) (p < 0.05). Arthritic mice exhibited elevated MDA levels in joint  tissues, livers, kidneys, and spleens (p < 0.05), indicating increased oxidative stress. However, treatment with ECUF effectively reduced  MDA levels (7.33 ± 0.61, 30.45 ± 5.47, 5.01 ± 0.41, 3.73 ± 0.21 nM/mg protein, respectively) (p < 0.05). Administration of ECUF also led to  dose-dependent increases in GSH, TP, GPx, SOD, and CAT levels in joint tissues, liver, kidney, and spleen (p < 0.05). The maximal  therapeutic effect of ECUF was observed at a dose of 300 mg/kg, comparable to Mobic (p > 0.05). Overall, these findings underscore the  potential of ECUF as a therapeutic agent for arthritis due to its antioxidant properties and ability to reduce oxidative stress.