ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF LYCOPENE ON CARRAGEENAN INDUCED KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory joint disease that is characterized by loss of articular cartilage with concomitant structural and functional changes in the entire joint. The prescription drugs recommended by international guidelines for osteoarthritis management (such as Ibuprofen and Diclofenac) merely provide pain relief for symptoms, and the long-term use of these drugs is often associated with significant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness or vertigo, stomach ache, loss of appetite, mild rash, tinnitus and toxicities. Lycopene is a natural pigment that has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of lycopene administration on carrageenan-induced knee osteoarthritis in male Wistar rats. A total of thirty male Wistar rats were used for the study, and were divided into six groups (n=5) as follows: Group I received intra-articular injection of normal saline and 0.1 ml of olive oil which served as vehicle control. Group II received intra-articular injection of carrageenan (0.02ml of 1% w/v) and 0.1 ml of olive oil and served as negative control. Groups III, IV, V and VI received intra-articular injections of carrageenan and 10mg/Kg diclofenac sodium, 5 mg/Kg, 10 mg/Kg and 20 mg/Kg lycopene respectively orally for three weeks. The results showed significantly higher (p<0.05) knee joint diameter in a negative control compared to the vehicle control. Lycopene caused a decrease in knee joint diameter, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Serum Interleukin 1β, while increasing Serum Interleukin 10. It can be concluded that Lycopene has anti-inflammatory action that was effective in protecting against knee osteoarthritis.