Background:
Garcinia indica also known as kokum is used in traditional system of medicine
for relieving inflammation and rheumatic pain. Garcinol, a benzophenone obtained from its fruit
rind is reported to have anti-inflammatory effect via modulating arachidonic acid metabolism, suppressing
iNOS expression, NF-κB activation and COX-2 expression. It has also been studied for antioxidant
and anticancer activity. Apart from these, few patents claim that garcinol also has anti-obesity and hepatoprotective
effect and has a potential to be used for the treatment of renal disorders, endometriosis
and cardiac dysfunction.
Objective:
Garcinol Enriched Fraction (GEF) from the fruit rind of Garcinia indica should be effective
in the treatment of arthritis, one of the chronic inflammatory disorder owing to its anti-inflammatory
property as indicated by earlier experiments.
Methods:
GEF was prepared from the fruit rind of Garcinia indica and quantified using LC-MS/MS. It
was found to contain 89.4% w/w of garcinol. GEF was evaluated at the dose of 10mg/kg for its efficacy
against Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in Wistar albino rats. Paw volumes of
both sides were measured by Plethysmometer and body weight was recorded on 0, 1, 5, 12 and 21st day.
The hyperalgesic response was also measured by motility test and stair climbing test.
Results:
GEF showed a significant reduction in paw swelling (p < 0.0001) and arthritis index (p <
0.0001) exhibiting anti-inflammatory potential. It also improves the motility and stair climbing ability
of experimental animals (p < 0.05), thus reducing hyperalgesia.
Conclusion:
Garcinol enriched fraction shows anti-arthritic activity in experimental animals.
Garcinol enriched fraction from the fruit rind of Garcinia indica ameliorates atherosclerotic risk factor in diet induced hyperlipidemic C57BL/6 mice
