Effect of triterpenes from Crataeva nurvala stem bark on lipid peroxidation in adjuvant induced arthritis in rats.

Lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene was isolated from C. nurvala stem bark and its ester lupeol linoleate was synthesised. These triterpenes were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity in complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis rats. For some time free radicals have been implicated in damage to connective tissues during inflammatory conditions and arthritis. Lupeol and lupeol linoleate were administered orally at the dose level of 50 mg kg-1 body weight daily for 8 days, from the 11th to 18th day postadjuvantly. There was a significant increase in lipid peroxide level in plasma of arthritic rats but it was found to be decreased in the liver. The antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were elevated in both the liver and haemolysate in adjuvant-induced rats. Blood glutathione was decreased in arthritis. The triterpenes reduced the above alterations produced in arthritic animals. The effect of lupeol linoleate was found to be better in this respect when compared with lupeol.