Analyses of Human and Rat Clinical Parameters in Rheumatoid Arthritis Raise the Possibility of Use of Crude Aloe vera Gel in Disease Amelioration

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the joints causing swelling, stiffness and pain which finally leads to substantial loss of functioning and mobility in its advanced stages. In the present study we have monitored important serological parameters of fifty RA patients and also have discussed the justification of using rat as a model for human RA researches by comparing their respective serological parameters. We have also evaluated the anti-arthritic roles of raw Aloe vera gel and its effects in rat model where arthritis was induced by using Freund’s Complete Adjuvant (FCA). Three essential conclusive statements were derived from the study. Firstly, the six clinical parameters that we have selected for the study namely, RA factor, CRP, ASO, ESR, ceruloplasmin and serum creatinine were all essential for the differential diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis during its early and later stages, RA factor being the most sensitive of all parameters (92% sensitivity). Secondly, this study has supported the use of the rat as a model for designing therapeutic strategies against RA. Lastly, as evident from our study, Aloe vera extracts can be beneficial for the reduction of inflammatory edema and also for the reduction of ceruloplasmin in RA condition in rat model. However, further investigations are necessary for more refined therapeutic usage of Aloe vera for the treatment of RA in human.