Anti-arthritic Potential of Alocasia macrorrhizos Aqueous Extract in an Adjuvant Induced Arthritis Model

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory and autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and systemic manifestations. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Alocasia macrorrhizos (EAAm) aqueous extract in an Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis (AIA) model. Holtzman strain rats were used and AIA was performed by intradermal injection of 100 µL of Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) at the base of the tail, followed by injection into the left knee joint. Induced animals were treated with Phosphate-buffered saline or EAAm (100 mg/kg) during nine days. Arthritic animals of both sexes showed intense inflammatory reactions and systemic manifestations. Treatment with EAAm reduced the knee edema, tissue inflammatory infiltrate, as well as the cytokines expression (IFN-y, IL-6 and IL-12p70), in serum and regional lymph nodes of the animals. These findings suggest that Alocasia macrorrhizos exhibits anti-arthritic effects, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic alternative for inflammatory diseases.