Ameliorative Effect of Harmine on Acute and Chronic Inflammation in Wistar Rats

Harmine has been applied as a folk medicine to cure arthritis. The current study aimed at investigating anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activities of harmine (10, 25 or 50 mg/kg) using carrageenan and xylene induced edema in wister rat. Methotrexate (1mg/kg) was used as a standard drug. To evaluate anti-arthritic potential, CFA (complete Freunds adjuvant) 0.15mL was administered into left paw of animals at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days. Methotrexate and harmine were given to these animals at 8th day of the experiment and continued till 28th day. Blood samples were taken at 28th day for assessing of hematological and biochemical parameters and the animals were sacrificed to process their immune organs to evaluate modulatory effect on gene expression (COX-2, IL-4, RANKL, TNF-α, IL-6, MMP13, OPG and iNOS). During the treatment period, the compound effectively improved the arthritic index, weight of immune organs, body weight, and histopathological parameters. Harmine reduced significantly (p < 0.05) the C-reactive protein and TNF-α serum concentrations of the arthritic rat. It was convincing in down-regulating the COX-2, IL- 6, TNF-α & MMP13 and up-regulating the mRNA expression of IL-4, OPG and iNOS. At the appropriate dose, harmine enhanced the activities of SOD and CAT and reduced MDA levels in the liver in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological study revealed that the harmine dramatically (p < 0.05) lowered pannus formation, joint swelling, and erosion of bones in the treated groups as compared to standard control. This observation provides evidence of the anti-arthritic potential of harmine in a chronic polyarthritis model.