The stem bark of tree Ficus bengalensis Linn (Moraceae) is known to induce anti-inflammatory activity and also used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in Indian traditional system of medicine. Therefore, in the present study, its anti-arthritic activity was evaluated and compared with methotrexate, dexamethasone and diclofenac sodium, using experimentally induced arthritic animal models.

The methanolic extract of Ficus bengalensis (MEFB) was studied in formalin and Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in rats using relevant biological and biochemical parameters, viz. paw edema volume, arthritic score, oxidative stress biomarkers [lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide (NO), antioxidants (enzymatic and non-enzymatic), serum lysosomal enzymes (AST, ALT and LDH), connective tissue biomarkers (hydroxyproline, sialic acid and glucosamine), pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and IL-6)] and radiographic pattern of hind legs.

Treatment with MEFB, methotrexate, diclofenac and dexamethasone elicited reduction in paw edema and arthritic score, amelioration of oxidative stress, prevention of elevation of LPO and NO, restoration of antioxidants (in edematous and liver tissues), inhibition of serum lysosomal enzymes, biomarkers of connective tissue, and pro-inflammatory cytokines along with improvement of radiographic features of hind legs. Further, MEFB reduced acetic acid induced pain syndrome in mice. Evaluation of our experimental findings suggests that anti-arthritic activity of MEFB (400mg/kg) was slightly better than diclofenac sodium and less than that of methotrexate and dexamethasone.

The antioxidant property of MEFB may largely be responsible for its anti-arthritic activity, and can be a feasible therapeutic candidate for the treatment of chronic arthritis.