Comparing the Effect of Myristica fragrans and Flunixin on Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Rat

Background: Nutmeg, Myristica fragrans Houtt, has shown anti-inflammatory properties in some studies. At present experimental study, we evaluated the effect of seed extract of nutmeg on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats in comparison with flunixin meglumine.

Materials and Methods: Experimental study was done in six groups of Wistar rats (each group 8 rats) as following: Group 1 was kept as control under similar conditions to other groups. All other rats received complete Freund's adjuvant at dose 0.1 ml which injected under skin of foot. Group 2 was received vehicle (normal saline). Group 3 received flunixin intraperitonealy at dose of 2 mg/kg body weight of rats daily for 12 days. Group4 to 6 received extract of nutmeg at dose 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg intraperitonealy and daily for 12 days. Four rats in each group were anesthetized and blood collected for serum analysis on 12th day. The ankle joint prepared for histopathological examination. The remained rats were kept until 21th day. Levels of the cytokine TNF-α in serum was measured using ELISA kit.

Results: The serum levels of TNF-α in the group 2 were significantly increased; while nutmeg decreased the elevated TNF-α level in a dose-dependent manner but significantly with 300 mg/kg. The flunixin did not significantly decrease the levels of TNF-α. Nutmeg treated rats manifested pathological events in the ankle joints to a markedly lesser degree. Flunixin prevented pannus formation but it was ineffective in other lesions.

Conclusion: Thus, nutmeg protected the joints against cartilage destruction and bone erosion in a dose-dependent manner.