Psidium guajava leaves extract decreased leukocytes and lymphocytes count in Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced arthritis rats

Abstract

Background: Psidium guajava is one of the herbal plants that has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of P. guajava leaves extract on leukocytes and lymphocytes in rats.

Methods: Fifty rats were divided into five groups. Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) was employed to generate an animal model of arthritis. Group I (arthritis control) received CMC Na, group II (positive control) received dexamethasone 3 mg/kg BW, and groups III-V received 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg BW of the ethanol extract of P. guajava leaves orally. Total leukocyte counts were calculated on days 13 and 29, and on day 29, the histological joints were inspected.

Results: The P. guajava leaves extract decreased the number of lymphocytes and total leukocytes. Before and after treatment, the group receiving doses of 250 mg/kg BW and 750 mg/kg BW of the extract showed a significant decrease in leukocytes. With treatment of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg BW of P. guajava leaves ethanol extract, the lymphocyte count was also reduced. The P. guajava leaves extract at 750 mg/kg body weight showed the greatest effectiveness in suppressing leukocytes and lymphocytes.

Conclusion: The extract of P. guajava leaves has the potential to be developed as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis.