Alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols might be responsible for potent antiarthritic effect of Solanum nigrum.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in vitro and in vivo antiarthritic potential of Solanum nigrum (S. nigrum). METHODS: Aqueous methanolic (70∶30) extract of S. nigrum was prepared. The in vitro antiarthritic effect was evaluated in terms of its inhibition of protein denaturation and membrane stabilization. While, formaldehyde, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and Collagen induced arthritis rat models were used to study in vivo antiarthritic activities of S. nigrum at dose level of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg. RESULTS: The extract exhibited inhibition of protein denaturation and protected red blood cell by stabilizing the membranes in a concentration dependent manner, with maximum effect attained at 800 µg/mL. Moreover, there was a marked reduction in paw edema observed in extract treated animals, when compared to arthritic control animals in all in vivo models and 800 mg/kg dose got maximum reduction of paw edema. In CFA and collagen models, plant extract restored body weight, hematologic parameters, radiographic and histopathologic alterations towards normal. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that S. nigrum holds antiarthritic potential, supporting its traditional use in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Traditional medicines of plant origin used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders in Pakistan: A review.

OBJECTIVE: To pool data on ethnobotanical medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disorders in Pakistan. METHODS: We reviewed 237 research publications based on data from the six provinces in Pakistan (Punjab = 85, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa = 65, Sindh = 15, Balochistan = 8, Gilgit Baltistan = 22, Azad Jammu and Kashmir = 42) published until June 2015 in various journals. This was achieved using seven online databases: ScienceDirect, Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, Wiley Online Library, SpringerLink, and MEDLINE. Data were analyzed from different perspectives. RESULTS: People from Pakistan made use of 371 plant species belonging to 263 genera and 99 families for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Plants from the Asteraceae family were used most often. Herbs were the dominant growth form. Leaves were the plant parts used most often. Decoctions were the main preparation method. Nine plant species were used most frequently in the dwellers of most regions of Pakistan. A total of 111 plants were shown experimentally to have neither anti-arthritic nor anti-inflammatory activities, and 148 plant species were threatened. Eighty-four species had commercial importance. Twelve plant species were imported, and 25 plant species were exported, from Pakistan. CONCLUSION: This review provides baseline data for plant species in Pakistan that have potential anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic activities.