Comparative Efficacy of Different Solvent Extracts of Equisetum diffusum Whole Plant in FCA-induced Arthritic Rat Model

Background: Equisetum diffusum D. Don (Family Equisetaceae, common name ‘Himalayan horsetail’) is one such medicinally important herb that has a long history of traditional use among different tribal populations of the sub-Himalayan regions in India for treating back discomfort, bone fractures, and dislocations, as well as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Objectives: This study aims to assess the in vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic characteristics of whole-plant of E. diffusum ethyl acetate (EDEAE) and n-hexane (EDHE) extracts. Materials and Methods: The adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model was utilized for assessing different arthritic parameters. The GC-MS studies was conducted for screening the bioactive phytocomponents in both solvent extracts. Results: In our study, both the EDEAE and EDHE significantly reduced the arthritic scores, normalized body weight, and restored paw-edema and hematological, biochemical, radiological, and histological states. From our GC-MS analysis, we found that EDHE and EDEAE consist of 75 and 133 unique bioactive phytocompounds, respectively. Out of which, eight (8) and seventeen (17) phytocompounds from the EDHE and EDEAE extracts showed the presence of anti-arthritic and/or anti-inflammatory characteristics, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of our study provide solid evidence for the anti-arthritic characteristics of different solvent extracts derived from E. diffusum in a chronic adjuvant-induced arthritic model. However, the EDEAE extract exhibited a more favorable outcome in comparison to the EDHE extract.