Prevention of the progression of adjuvant induced arthritis by oral supplementation of Indian fresh water mussel (Lamellidens marginalis) aqueous extract in experimental rats

Aim of this study: Mussel is well accepted as food all over India. Beside for its nutritive value, people residing in Kosi river basin, Bihar, India, consume a preparation of soup, made from the footpad of molluscan species, with the belief that it gives relief from signs and symptoms of joint pain and related problems. This study was designed to explore the preventive activity of Indian fresh water mussel (Lamellidens marginalis) aqueous extract oral supplementation in experimental arthritis model. Materials and methods: Arthritis was induced in male albino rats by intradermal injection of Freund's complete adjuvant in right hind footpad. Lamellidens marginalis extract (LME1, 500 mg/kg/day and LME2, 1 g/kg/day) peroral supplementation started from the 1st day after adjuvant injection and was continued for the subsequent 13 days. Severity of arthritis was evaluated from paw diameter, ankle diameter, paw weight, urinary hydroxyproline, glucosamine level, serum interleukin-1 beta, IL6, IL10, CINC1, TNF alpha level, lysosomal enzyme levels and from histopathological assessment. Results: Lamellidens marginalis extract supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) decreased paw diameter, ankle diameter, and paw weight in treated groups (LME1, 500 mg/kg/day and LME2, 1 g/kg/day) as compared with arthritic group. Urinary hydroxyproline, glucosamine level, serum IL1 beta, IL6, CINC1, TNFa, IL10 and lysosomal enzyme levels were restored significantly (p < 0.05) in treated groups (LME1, 500 mg/kg/day and LME2, 1 g/kg/day) as compared to arthritic group. Synovial membrane damage and neutrophil infiltration in histopathological examination was restored significantly by LME supplementation as compared to arthritic group. Conclusions: Thus, it might be concluded that experimental animals supplemented with Lamellidens marginalis extract were protected against the severity of disease progression in adjuvant induced arthritis. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.