Arthroton: A powerful Anti- Inflammatory and Anti- Arthritic formulation for Joint Pain

Arthroton is a powerful Anti- Inflammatory and Anti- Arthritic formulation.

• Ensures speedy relief from Inflammatory, pain & stiffness smooth,
• Pain free joint movements
• Supports power of digestion
• Eliminates metabolic toxic by products

• Controls the root cause of Rheumatic disorders


Composition: It contains following standardized extracts:

Commiphora mukul
Ricinus communis
Boerhavia difffusa
Turmeric (Cucuma longa)
Zingiber officinalis
Withania ashwagandha


Commiphora mukul

Commiphora Mukul is comparable to hydrocortisone. A gum exudates of Guggul is now well documented & proven for it’s anti inflammatory & anti arthritic activity.

Ricinus communis

Ricinus Communis has been used for it’s anti inflammatory, analgesic & anti rheumatic properties. It also provides lubrication to the joints & facilitates their movements.

Boerhavia difffusa

Boerhavia Difffusa has been reported to have a significant anti inflammatory property. It is found to exhibit diuretic activity which helps to eliminate toxic elements from the body.

Turmeric (Cucuma longa)

Cucuma Longa has exhibited anti inflammatory & analgesic properties in various pharmacological studies. It also enhances the function of digestive system.

Zingiber officinalis

Zingiber Officinalis possesses analgesic & anti rheumatic properties. It has been used as a drug of choice in rheumatic conditions. According to Ayurveda it acts as a carminative & digestive, restoring metabolic activities in a normal mode which are disturbed due to improper digestion.

Withania ashwagandha

Withania Ashwagandha also known as Indian Ginseng, has been known to help reduce the discomfort associated with arthritis. Ashwagandha has been shown to be effective in reducing the pain of arthritis.

Indications:

* Osteo- arthritis
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Degenerative joint disease

Monograph:

ARTHROTON: Joint Pain Reliever

Today about 15% of the population is afflicted with arthritis or related disorder, and percentage is growing because the standard medical treatment offers only symptomatic relief.

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints, surrounding tendons, ligaments and cartilage. It can affect almost every joint of the body: from feet to knees, shoulders, back, wrists and even the fingers. There is variety of arthritic conditions but most commonly found are Osteoarthritis, Gout and Rheumatoid arthritis.

OSTEO-ARTHRITIS

 This condition is closely related with process of ageing. It tends to affect the larger weight bearing joints of the spine, hip and knees. In the beginning, the joint cartilage starts deteriorating and finally restricts the movements. The symptoms include: mid early morning stiffness, restricted and painful movements of the joints, soft tissue and bony swellings, etc. The characteristic feature of osteo-arthritis is creaking and cracking of joints on movement.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

It is a serious and extremely painful joint disorder, often resulting in crippling impairment for young and old alike. Synovial membrane is normally well-lubricated membrane, which lines the joint cavity in order to ease the joint movement. In this condition, this membrane is disabled causing distortion of the joints. This distortion is prominent in the smaller joints.

The symptoms include inflammation, stiffness, tenderness and painful movements of the smaller joints and even deformity. Fatigue, low-grade fever and depression are other symptoms. The severity of the disease varies from time to time and becomes better or worse in unexplainable manner. It is classified as an Auto-immune disease in which the body attacks it own tissues.

GOUT

This disease develops due to improper elimination or excessive production of uric acid. When the level of uric acid in the body exceeds normal level, it crystallizes in the joint cartilage, synovial membrane and fluid. This deposition leads to sharp, needle like pain in the joints, loss of mobility as well as fever and depression. These patients are at higher risk of heart and kidney problems. 

TREATMENT

Currently prescribed therapeutic interventions are intended only to relieve the signs and symptoms of the disease. None of this drug is able to modify the course of the disease. These drugs include Aspirin, NSAIDs ie.non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Piroxicam, Naproxen etc.), Glucocorticoids and a group of disease modifying drugs (Gold compounds, Antimalarials and D-penicillamine). All of these drugs are known to exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect and slow down the progress of the disease upto some extent.

The disadvantage of these is, they are associated with a wide spectrum of undesirable side effects like: gastrointestinal intolerance, liver function abnormalities rash and aggravation of asthma or allergic rhinitis. Gluco- corticoids may develop Osteoporosis even at a low dose therapy. The patients treated with the group of disease modifying agents need careful observation, as they are likely to develop systemic toxicity. Furthermore, elderly patients on diuretics are at higher risk for certain side effects.

Thus there is no consistent advantage of these drugs with respect to the incidence or severity of toxic manifestations.

The plants used in formulation of ARTHROTON are well known for their highly potent anti-arthritic and anti-rheumatic properties. Ayurvedic practitioners prove their efficacy over the centuries.

ARTHROTON gives best results as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent and is devoid of the side effects of the steroidal or non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs.

ARTHROTON deals with the root cause of rheumatic disease to eliminate them. Ayurveda asserts that rheumatic disorders are the result of the metabolic disturbances due to improper digestion.

ARTHROTON helps to modulate the metabolic activities and contributes to functional improvement.

ARTHROTON eliminates the toxic metabolites from the body with the help of diuretic agents.Thus accelerating recovery from joint pain.

ARTHROTON effectively reduces the pain, inflammation and stiffness of the joints and improves their movements. It acts as a muscle relaxant and facilitates the ability to grip.

ARTHROTON endows joint lubrication and prevents further distortion of the joints. It aids regenerative processes and helps to alter the course of the disease.

ARTHROTON motivates regression of rheumatic and arthritic conditions and provides a lasting relief from joint pain.

           

ARTHROTON is a comprehensive therapy for musculoskeletal disorders, having combination of following herbs:

Commiphora mukul (Guggul)

Ricinus communis (Erand)

 Curcuma longa (Haridra)

Boerhaavia diffusa (punarnava)

Zingiber officinale (Shunthi)

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)

Subsequent reports of various trials specify the motive of inclusion of these components in ARTHROTON:

1) COMMIPHORA MUKUL (GUGGUL)

C.mukul is a time tested anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-rheumatic agent. It has been used to relieve arthritic and rheumatic conditions. The guggul preparations like Mahayogaraj guggul, Yogaraj guggul, Simhananda guggul, etc. are well known for better and faster results and hence are very popular amongst Ayurvedic practitioners.

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL TRIALS

The action C.mukul against Brownlee’s formaldehyde-induced arthritis in albino rats has been reported. The oleoresin of guggul and its fractions were screened against Browenlee’s arthritis model and granuloma pouch and cotten pellet tests in normal and belaterally adrenalectamized albino rats. The oleoresin showed significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effect in all models at a dose 12.5 mg /100g body wt. and above. The acid fraction of guggul showed this effect even in the adrenalectamized rats (Quoted by Satyavati, 1991).

Significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of  C.mukul was reported against carrageenin -induced rat paw edema granuloma pouch as well as adjuvant arthritis (Quoted by Satyavati, 1991).

Significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of a steroid fraction of C.mukul against carrageenin edema in rat paw and secondary inflammation caused by Freund’s adjuvant arthritis has been reported (Dhanukar et al., 1983).

The 250 mg /kg and 500 mg/ kg doses of  C.mukul when administered twice at 18 and 1 hourprior to the injection of carrageenin, produced dose dependant inhibition of rat paw edema. It produced peak anti-inflammatory effect with 18 hours pre-treatment Schedule when concentrated extract of the same was administered as a single dose of 500 mg/kg. This confirms that C.mukul possesses anti-inflammatory activity of prolonged duration (Sharma et.al.1987).

  The anti- inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of C.Mukul has been reported. It significantly inhibited both the maximal edema response and the total edema response during 6th hour of carrageenin -induced rat paw edema

(Duwiejua et al.1993).

Clinical trial with purified C.mukul has been carried out in 35 patients of rheumatoid arthritis in order to assess its antirheumatic activity, dose requirement resistance, development and side effects on hematology. From the results obtained it has been indicated that Guggul acts as an analgesic agent without any toxic or side effect (Vyas et al., 1987).

Three compound Ayurvedic preparations (with C.mukul gum as a main ingredient) were tested for anti - inflammatory activity in rats using the formaline -induced arthritis and the granuloma pouch method. All the three preparations showed a significant anti-inflammatory effect (Quoted by satyavati, 1991).

A Clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of an Ayurvedic drug , having C.mukul as a chief component ,in osteo-arthritis .After 2 months of the treatment, 10% of the cases were cured, 13% got marked relief,50% showed moderate relief , 20% got mild relief and 7% remained unchanged.Whereas total 70 % of cases of control group remained unchanged. The severity of the disease increased in 30% ( Sannd et, 1994 ).

Oral administration of Vatahari Guggul, a composite drug having C.mukul as a major ingredient.was found to be useful in the treatment of Rheumatic diseases (Pandey et., 198 1986)

2) RICINUS COMMUNIS (ERAND)

             

R.communis has been used for its anti -inflammatory, analgesic properties. It also acts as a demulcent providing lubrication to the joints and facilitating their movements.

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL TRIALS

Fraction II of the crude alcohol extract of R. Communis was found to have a potent anti -inflammatory activity. It was found to be effective in granuloma pouch method in the dose of 150 mg/kg. There was a considerable decrease in the volume of exudate formed, weight of the pouch and average W.B.C. count per cu.  mm as compared to that of controls. Furthermore its 10mg per 100 gm dose was found to be more potent than acetyl salicylic acid given in the dose 30 mg/100 gm (Sharma et al., 1969).

3) CURCUMA LONGA (HARIDRA)

It possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It also enhances the function of digestive system.Thus consummating the requirements of an antirheumatic drug according to Ayurveda.

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL TRIALS

The data reviewed indicate that extracts of C.longa exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. The curcumin and the volatile oil are responsible for this action. In vitro curcumin exhibited antispasmodic activity (Ammon et al., 1991).

Employing the main constituents of C.longa, curcumin, its effect on the pathway of arachidonic acid cascade in stimulated polymorphnuclear neutrophils and platelets have been studied. It exhibited an anti-oxidative effect in Fe/ ascorbate -induced peroxidation of arachiodonic acid. Further, it inhibited the formation of cyclo-oxygenase and 5- lipoxygenase as well as 12- lipoxygenase products (Ammon et al., 1992).

Curcumin from C.longa, which was demonstrated to act as anti-inflammatory in vivo animals models, was studied in a set of vitro experiments in order to elucidate the mechanism of its beneficial effects. It inhibited the 5- lipoxygenase activity in rat peritoneal neutrophils as well as the cyclo oxygenase and the 12-lipoxygenase activities in human platelets.In cell free peroxydation system curcumin excerted strong anti-oxydative activity. Thus its effects on the dioxygenases are probably due to its reducing capacity (Ammon et al., 1993).

An indigenous preparation, having C.longa as one of the major ingredients, was tested in 42 patients of Osteo-arthritis. It produced a significant drop of pain and disability score (Kulkarni et al., 1991).

The clinical efficacy of an Ayurvedic drug having C.longa as a major component was evaluated in placebo control and 20 patients Rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment with drugs for 3 months produced significantly greater relief of pain, decreased morning stiffness, decrease in Ritche Articular index and joint score. A significant drop in E.S.R was observed in the drug treated patients (Kulkarni et al.,

1992)

4) BOERHAAVIA DIFFUSA (PUNARNAVA)

           

It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also helps to eliminate toxic elements from the body through urine, as it possesses diuretic activity.

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL TRIALS

 The aqueous and acetone extracts of the root of diffusa in a dose of 4 mg/100 gm of body wt. each showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin-induced  edema and formaldehyde-induced arthritis in albino rats. The nitrogen-containing base inhibited the increased serum amino transferase activity in arthritic animals similar to that of hydrocortisone (Ball et al., 1968).

A comparative study, for the assessment of anti inflammatory activity of the different parts of B.diffusa in carrageenin -induced hind paw oedema was carried out by Mudgal, 1975. Intraperitonial doses of the test extracts of B .diffusa have shown analgesic property in male albino rats. The anti-inflammatory activity of alcoholic extract of roots and leaves was more significant as compared to that of whole plant.

Anti-inflammatory effect of various extracts of root of B.diffusa was examined in carrageenin-induced oedema and formaldehyde-induced arthritis in albino rats. Acetone extract of B.diffusa was found to possess most potent anti-inflammatory activity. Aqueous extract and alkaloid fractions significantly inhibited the increased serum aminotransferase activity in arthritic animals similar to that of hydrocortisone. Liver ATP (adenosine triphosphate phosphohydrolase) activity in arthritic animals was also increased by these fractions and aqueous extract (Bhalla et al., 1971).

Singh et al., (1972) have studied the diuretic activity of B.diffusa. The alcoholic extract of roots was found to be more effective than the whole plant and stems.

5) ZINGIBER OFFICINALE (SHUNTHI)

Shunthi possesses analgesic and antirheumatic properties. It has been used as a drug of choice in rheumatic conditions. According to Ayurvedic concepts, it acts as a carminative and digestive, restoring metabolic activities in a normal mode, which are disturbed due to improper digestion.

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL TRIALS

(6) - Gingerol and (6) - shogaol, active constituents of Z.officinale, were found to produce an inhibition of spontaneous motor activity and have antipyretic and analgesic effects ( Suekawa et al., 1984).

WITHANIA ASHWAGANDHA (ASHWAGANDHA)

W. Ashwangandha (Fam: Solanaceae) commonly known as Ashwagandha is the cultivated variety of W. somnifera. The chemical constituents of  We.ashwagandha consists of steroidal lactone withafterin-A, withanolides, Flavonoids and several alkaloids as its active constituents. W. ashwagandha, apart from other morphological difference, also contains starch in significant proportion, instead, as found in W.somnifera.

PHARMACOLOGY AND CLINICAL TRIALS

W. ashwagnadha has been reported to possess growth promoting properties in weanling rats and in their progeny. It also reduces the adernal activity and plasma content of corticoids (Sharma et al., 1985). Withafterin- A. active constituents of W. ashwagandha exhibited significant anti-stress activity in widely different stress situation like, Pentelene tetrazole induced defeacation and urination, forced swimming test in mice and Restraint stress induced gastric ulceration in mice (Battacharya et. Al. 1987), Sitoindosides IX and X of W. ashwangandha also exhibited adaptogenic and immunostimulatory activities (Ghosal et al.1988). sharma et al.,(1991) have showed that W. ashwagandha reduces concentration of monoamines in the brain during stress (Bhattacharya et al., 1989). These immuno-modulating and adaptogenic properties are attributed to its active constituent Withafterin – A (Bhar e al., 1982).

Jayaram et al., (1993) have reported that W. ashwagandha exhibits immunomodulatory, cytoprotective, growth promoting and adaptogenic properties, when administered to patients complaining of fatigue and lethargy, without any diagnosed disease. Seshadri et. Al..(1983) have reported that in a double blind trial, Ashwagandha significantly increased the body weight, total protein content and haemoglobin content. Kulkarni et al., (1983), have reported that methanolic extract of W. ashwagandha acts via barbiturate modulatory centre of GABA receptors. Khandeparkar et al., (1981) have concluded that W. ashwagandha possess significant anti – fatigue property.

Kulkarni et al.,(1993) have reported that methanolic extract of W ashwagandha prevented Pentelene tetrazole induced convulsions in a dose dependent manner (complete protection at 200 mg/kg dose). W. ashwagandha has also been found to possess antibiotic and antibiotic and antibacterial activity (WOI. 1976). Sethi (1970); Singh et al.,(1978); Hazeena et al., (1988) have mentioned that W. ashwagandha exhibits anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activity in chronic animal models. Increase in RBC count, WBC count and mitotic index following treatment with alcoholic extract of W. ashwgandha roots. Antitumour activity of W. ashwagandha has been observed by Verma, (1982) and Shohat et al.,(1970).

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