Saraca asoca has been traditionally used in Indian system for treatment of uterine, genital, and other reproductive disorders in women, fever, pain, and inflammation. The hypothesis of this study is that acetone extract of Saraca asoca seeds is an effective anti-inflammatory treatment for arthritis in animal experiments. The antiarthritic effect of its oral administration on Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis has been studied in Wistar albino rats after acute and subacute toxicities. Phytochemical analysis revealed presence of high concentrations of phenolic compounds such as flavonoids and tannins, while no mortality or morbidity was observed up to 1000？mg/kg dose during acute and subacute toxicity assessments. Regular treatment up to 21 days of adjuvant-induced arthritic rats with Saraca asoca acetone extract (at 300 and 500？mg/kg doses) increases RBC and Hb, decreases WBC, ESR, and prostaglandin levels in blood, and restores body weight when compared with control (normal saline) and standard (Indomethacin) groups. Significant ( ) inhibitory effect was observed especially at higher dose on paw edema, ankle joint inflammation, and hydroxyproline and glucosamine concentrations in urine. Normal radiological images of joint and histopathological analysis of joint, liver, stomach, and kidney also confirmed its significant nontoxic, antiarthritic, and anti-inflammatory effect. 1. Introduction Arthritis affects around 0.5–1% of the world population with more women being affected than men. The immune system is a well-organized and well-regulated structure. The deregulation of the immune system may lead to the development of autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which is a prototype of the groups of illnesses with chronic systemic disorders with destructive inflammatory polyarticular joint potentially resulting in progressive destruction of articular and periarticular structure. Persistent inflammation produces swollen joints with severe synovitis, decreased nociceptive threshold, and massive subsynovial infiltration of mononuclear cells, which along with angiogenesis leads to pannus formation. Expansion of the pannus induces bone erosion and cartilage thinning, leading to the loss of joint function in due course. This results in a high degree of morbidity and disturbed daily life of the patient. Corticosteroids have not been able to fully control the incidence because of its limitations and risk of side effects. Many patients and practitioners are seeking alternative approach to provide an effective cure in the treatment of arthritis and to
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