Alpha-mangostin attenuates oxidative stress and inflammation in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats

Purpose: To examine the protective effect of α-mangostin on Freund’s adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in rats.Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6). The rats were made arthritic using a single intradermal injection of 0.1 ml complete Freund's adjuvant. α-Mangostin (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered for 21 days. After the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed and various biochemical markers were assessed.Results: Arthritis-induced rats showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in malondialdehyde (16.28 ± 1.43 vs 7.22 ± 1.03) and nitric oxide (3.82 ± 0.87 vs 6.12 ± 1.23) with a concomitant reduction of antioxidants in the paw tissue. α-Mangostin intervention significantly (p < 0.05) reduced malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels and restored antioxidant levels to normalcy by mitigating oxidative stress. The arthritic rats exhibited elevated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum concentrations, upregulated TNF-α and IL–6 protein levels, and upregulated nuclear factor αB (NF-αB) mRNA expression in paw tissues. Treatment with α-mangostin significantly (p < 0.05) reduced serum levels and downregulated inflammatory markers to normalcy.Conclusion: The results suggest that α-mangostin displayed a protective effect against adjuvantinduced arthritis in rats mediated through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, Freund’s adjuvant, α-Mangostin, Oxidative stress, Inflammation