Lysosomal enzyme inhibiting activity of flavone fraction from Tylophora indica leaves in arthritic rats

Tylophora indica (Burm) Meril, (Asclepiadaceae), commonly known as Antamul possesses various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory activity. The present study was designed to evaluate lysosomal enzyme inhibiting activity of flavone fraction from Tylophora indica leaves in arthritic rats. The flavone fraction (FF) showed significant dose dependent lysosomal enzyme inhibiting activity against adjuvant-induced arthritis at 20-50 mg/kg. FF showed statistically significant inhibition of arthritic lesions (P<0.05) from day 18, (p<0.025) from day 20 and (p<0.001) from day 21 onwards in the adjuvant-induced arthritis studies which was comparable to the response of standard drug Indomethacin. FF may thus be able to inhibit the destructive activity of these enzymes on structural macromolecules like collagen etc. and prevent decrease in collagen levels and increase in urinary excretion levels of hydroxyproline, hexosamine, hexuronic acid etc. and synovial damage observed during arthritis.