Title of article :
Clinical and Pharmacological Evaluation of Pistacia atlantica Nut Extract on Septic Arthritis Caused by Staphylococcus aureus: An Experimental Study
Author/Authors :
Namazi, Hamid Bone and Joint Diseases Research Center - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran , Emami, Mohammad Jafar Bone and Joint Diseases Research Center - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran , Dehghani Nazhvani, Fatemeh Bone and Joint Diseases Research Center - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran , Nazifi, Saeed Department of Clinical Studies - School of Veterinary Medicine - Shiraz University, Iran , Dehghanian, Amirreza Department of Pathology - Shiraz Medical School - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran , Kazemi-Moghaddam, Ehsan Mohammad Rasoulollah Research Tower - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Today, the incidence of septic arthritis by Staphylococcus aureus has increased due to intra-articular injections, prosthetic joints, and underlying conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and immunosuppression. Pistacia atlantica has significant
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities.
Objectives: Considering S. aureus as the most important etiology of septic arthritis, this experimental study aimed to evaluate the
effects of P. atlantica on septic arthritis.
Methods: Septic arthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of S. aureus suspension in left stifles of rats, which were divided
randomly into eight groups, containing ten per group, including normal: no intervention; control: septic arthritis was induced but
not treated; Oral Placebo (OP): 14 days daily P.O.; Local Injected Placebo (LIP): a single dose intra-articular (IA injection) of normal
saline; Oral P. atlantica (OPa): 14 days daily P.O. P. atlantica extract; Local Injected P.atlantica (LIPa): a single-dose IA injection of P.
atlantica extract; Prophylactic Oral P. atlantica (ProOPa): prophylactic P.O. P. atlantica extract daily one week before the induction
for 21 days; Prophylactic Local Injected P. atlantica (ProLIPa): a prophylactic single-dose IA injection of P. atlantica extract one week
before the induction. For further evaluations, blood and histopathological samples were obtained.
Results: Pistacia atlantica oral medication reduced the physical symptoms of inflammation. Although hematological analysis
showed a fall in the control group compared to the normal group, all medicated groups increased. The OPa group showed the
closest WBC count (9.46 ± 4.12 × 109/L) to the normal group (P = 0.073). All histopathological parameters had significantly higher
scores in the control group compared to the normal group. Although the scores increased in the groups that received P. atlantica,
they decreased in the groups that received placebo, except for synovitis degree. The OPa group demonstrated a lower degree of synovitis (1.40± 0.51) than the control group; however, it was not significant (P = 0.690). Local injections revealed higher erosion scores
(2.80 ± 0.63 for the LIPa group and 2.70 ± 0.48 for the ProLIPa group) than the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Oral administration of P. atlantica alleviated the clinical symptoms. Cellular immunity activation and systemic benefits of oral P. atlantica were assessed. Histopathology confirmed the immune system involvement and antibacterial activity of P.
atlantica. More erosion may be due to more bacterial debris with arthritogenic properties. Meanwhile, the probability of the stimulatory effect of P. atlantica extract for synovial content should not be ignored.
Keywords :
Clinical , Arthritis , Infectious , Immunity , Pathology , Anti-Infective Agents , Herbal Medicine , Pharmacology , Cellular
Journal title :
Shiraz E Medical Journal