Urinary excretion of connective tissue metabolites under the influence of a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent in adjuvant induced arthritis.

The therapeutic effect of boswellic acids and salai guggal in adjuvant induced arthritic rats in relation to urinary excretion of connective tissue metabolites viz. hydroxyproline, hexosamine and uronic acid was thoroughly investigated. Compared to controls, the arthritic animals showed an increase in the excretion of these metabolites in urine. The elevated levels of urinary hydroxyproline (free, total, nondialysable and dialysable), hexosamine and uronic acid in the arthritic animals were found to be slightly decreased in the acute phase and significantly decreased in the chronic phase of the disease following the administration of boswellic acids or salai guggal. The results of the investigation indicated that both these anti-inflammatory drugs could offer a partial protective action against changes induced by adjuvant induced arthritis.