Enhancement of anti arthritic effect of quercetin using thioglycolic acid-capped cadmium telluride quantum dots as nanocarrier in adjuvant induced arthritic Wistar rats

In this present study, we investigated thio glycolic acid-capped cadmium telluride quantum dots (TGA-CdTe QDs) as nano carrier to study the antiarthritic activity of quercetin on adjuvant induced arthritic Wistar rats. The free radical scavenging activity of QDs-QE complex was evaluated by 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion scavenging assays. Fifteen days after adjuvant induction, arthritic rats received QDs-QE complex orally at the dose of 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg daily for 3 weeks. Diclofenac sodium (DF) was used as a reference drug. Administration of QDs-QE complex showed a significant reduction in inflammation and improvement in cartilage regeneration. Treatment with QDs-QE complex significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the expressions lipid peroxidation and showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) catalase (CAT) levels in paw tissue. C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of experimental animals were also estimated. Histology of hind limb tissue in experimental groups confirmed the complete cartilage regeneration in arthritis induced rats treated with QDs-QE complex. Based on our findings, we suggest that the QDs act as nano carrier for the drugs used in the treatment of various degenerative diseases.