ANTI-ATHRITIC EFFECTS OF LIME, MAIZE HUSK EXTRACT AND ITS CO ADMINISTRATION ON WISTAR RATS

This study investigated the anti-arthritic effects of lime juice (LJ) and lime juice with maize husk extract (LJMHE) in Wistar rats. Arthritis was produced by formaldehyde model after the commencement of oral administration of LJ (2.5ml/kg and 5ml/kg), LJMHE (5ml/kg, 50mg/kg), vitamin C (ViC) (100mg/kg), saline (0.1ml) and indomethacin (5mg/kg/day). All administrations were given orally for 10 days. Daily changes in paw sizes were measured for 10 days. Serum urea (BUN), ferritin (SF), serum creatinine (SC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also measured. The results showed that LJ, LJMHE and indomethacin produced consecutive reductions (p<0.05) in paw sizes from the 5th - 10th day. LJ and LJMHE performed better than Indomethacin while ViC did not produce any significant reduction in paw size. Likewise, LJ, LJMHE and ViC increased (p<0.05) BUN and reduced the serum concentration of CRP. There were no significant changes in the SF in groups treated with LJ (2.5mg/Kg) LJMHE and Indomethacin compared with control group (13.80 ± 0.60) whereas SF was increased in the groups treated with LJ (5mg/Kg) and ViC (21.12 ± 0.78 and 22.38 ± 0.10 ng/ml respectively). The study established the anti-arthritic effect of Lime Juice and Lime Juice with Maize Husk Extract which might be via the inhibition of CRP.