Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects of Choerospondias axillaris fruit's methanolic extract in synoviocytes and CIA rat model.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune, systemic disease mainly affecting joints. Presently, there is no specific treatment/ drug available for curing RA except few supportive medicines. Therefore, the focus has been diverted on medicinal plants for the treatment of such diseases. Choerospondias axillaris commonly known as Lupsi/Lapsi and have been reported to have several properties for treating various diseases.The present study has been undertaken to explore the anti-inflammatory effects of Choerospondias axillaris fruit extract on synoviocytes (FLS) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model.Methanolic extract of the Choerospondias axillaris fruit was used for checking phytochemical, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidant activity of Choerospondias axillaris fruit was measured via free radicals scavenging assays and bioactive compounds were identified via LC-MS/MS analysis. Anti-inflammatory effect was investigated in RA and Osteo arthritis (OA) primary cells and also in Collagen Induced Arthritis (CIA) rat models. Further, the medicinal properties of anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds were supported by docking studies.In-vitro and in-vivo studies showed significant decrease in the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Docking analysis revealed that quercetin inhibits TNF-α having -9.1 kcal/mol binding energy and 10.13 µM inhibitory constant. Quercetin also inhibits IL-6 having -6.6 kcal/mol binding energy and 21.9 µM inhibitory constant.Observed results suggests that the underutilized fruit Choerospondias axillaris can be used to reduce the inflammation of inflammatory diseases like RA.