Artemisia herba alba for Arthritis: A Safer, Natural Alternative to Indomethacin

The clinical management of rheumatoid arthritis continues to demand the development of effective and safer alternatives to traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are often limited by significant adverse effects. This research investigated the therapeutic potential of an extract derived from Artemisia herba alba using a well-established rat model of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Over a 15-day treatment period, animal groups received oral administrations of the plant extract at one of two doses (250 or 500 mg/kg), the standard drug indomethacin (3 mg/kg), or a saline control. The results demonstrated that the higher dose of Artemisia herba alba (500 mg/kg) produced a highly significant reduction in paw swelling, decreasing the measurement from 5.68 ± 0.06 mm to 4.65 ± 0.02 mm (p < 0.001). Furthermore, it effectively alleviated pain hypersensitivity, reversing response rates from 70 ± 6.1% to 10 ± 3.2% (p < 0.001). On a biochemical level, the treatment enhanced the body's innate antioxidant defenses while successfully reducing markers of lipid peroxidation. Most notably, in stark contrast to indomethacin, which induced clear hepatotoxicity and a pronounced oxidative stress state (MDA: 4.25 ± 0.41 µmol/L), the plant extract demonstrated a protective effect on liver and kidney function. Histological analysis of joint tissue corroborated these findings, showing markedly reduced inflammation and cellular infiltration. Collectively, these findings strongly advocate for Artemisia herba alba extract as a potent, dual-action, and notably safer natural therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammatory arthritic conditions.