Lupeol, a triterpenoid isolated from Calotropis gigantea latex ameliorates the primary and secondary complications of FCA induced adjuvant disease in experimental rats

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that affects 1% of the adult population worldwide. Calotropis gigantea is a xerophytic, latex producing medicinal plant widely distributed in nature. Different parts of the plant have been traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments including arthritis. In the present study, we have isolated and characterized lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene from the dialyzable fraction of the latex and evaluated the anti-arthritic properties of lupeol in Freund’s Complete Adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritis in rats. Lupeol (50 mg/kg b.w/day) was administered orally to AA rats for 4 weeks. The alterations in body weight gain, paw volume, RBC, WBC, Hb, EPO, ESR, platelets and PCV were recorded. The activities of serum AST, ALT and ALP were also assayed. The levels of lipid profile were estimated. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 were also analyzed. The results of present study indicate the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of lupeol present in the C. gigantea latex.