Phytomedicine Plus (Aug 2021)
Evaluation of the effect of an ayurvedic formulation Myostaal Forte tablets on chondroprotective biomarkers in an experimental model of osteoarthritis in rats
Abstract
Background: Osteoarthritis is a chronic progressive disease commonly affecting the hip and knee joints. Although many drugs are available and afford symptomatic relief, their side effects pose limitations to their continuous use. Introduction: Myostaal Forte (MF) is a poly-herbal Ayurvedic formulation that has shown protection against damage to the chondrocyte layer on histopathological examination in previous studies. But biomarkers which are indicative of chondroprotection have not been assessed. So, the present study was planned to reconfirm the protective effect of MF in osteoarthritic rats by histopathology and create a more substantial evidence by assessing the levels of Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13). Methods: 32 rats were divided into four groups (n = 8 each group); sham control (SC), disease control (DC), positive control (PC) and a MF group. Behavioural tests were compared from baseline to 7th day, 14th day, 21st day and on 28th day. Histopathology and bone markers were compared on the 28th day. p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with post hoc Tukey's test was used for parametric data. Non-parametric data was analysed using Kruskal Wallis test with post hoc Dunn's test. Results: On measurement of locomotor activity, number of squares crossed was significantly higher in MF group when compared to DC group & there was a significant decrease in the immobility time in MF group when compared DC group. Number of falls on Rota rod test was significantly lower in MF group when compared to DC on day 28. Hot Plate Analgesiometer showed no significant difference in the MF group compared to DC group but over the period of time till day 28, the latency time to lick hind paw was higher in the MF group compared to DC group. In histopathology grading, the scores in MF group were significantly reduced compared to DC group. MMP-13 levels and COMP levels in MF group were significantly decreased as compared to the DC and were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Myostaal Forte has shown antiarthritic effect by virtue of its chondroprotective action.
