Preventive Effects of Phyllanthus urinaria Extract on Paw Edema in Adjuvant‐Induced Arthritis Rats

The aim of this study was to examine the preventive effects of Phyllanthus urinaria Extract (PUE) on paw edema in adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AA) rats. Arthritis was induced by the injection of 200 ul of a suspension of 10 mg/ml heat‐killed tuberculosis ( Mycobacterium tuberculosis ) into the plantar region of the right hind foot of rats. Paw edema of the right hind feet of AA rats were reduced by the administration of PUE for 14 days and 28 days after adjuvant injection in comparison with those of AA rats administered physiological saline. The beta‐sitosterol had similar effect as the PUE applied. Myeloperoxydase activity (MPO) was reduced by the PUE in AA rats. These results indicate that the PUE are effective as anti‐inflammatory agents in AA rats and their action is markedly influenced by the inhibition of neutrophil migration into inflamed tissue. Therefore, these findings may provide the pharmacological basis of the clinical usage of PUE in treatment of inflammation.