الفهرس 
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Abstract
Arthritis is a painful inflammatory illness, characterized by joint destruction and
disability. The current study investigated the anti-inflammatory action of
ashwagandha (Ash) versus that of diclofenac sodium (Dic) by evaluating paw
thickness, body weight, hematological, biochemical, and inflammatory parameters,
and histopathological alterations. Rats were distributed into 6 equal groups: The
control group; received normal saline orally for 21 days, the Ash group; was orally
treated with Ash (200 mg/kg body weight) for 21 days, the Dic group; was orally
treated with Diclofenac sodium (2 mg/kg b.wt) for 21 days, Arthritic group (Arth);
rats were subjected to sub-planter injection of 0.1 ml formalin (2.5%) at right hind
paw on day 1 and received normal saline orally for 21 days, Arth+Ash group; arthritis
was induced as explained in Arth group then treated with Ash (at the same dose as
2nd group) orally for 21 days, Arth+Dic group; arthritis was induced as explained in
Arth group then treated with Dic (at the same dose as 3rd group) orally for 21 days.
Paw thickness was significantly increased in arthritic rats than the control ones at
various estimated times during the experiment, however, a significant decline was
recorded in Arth+Ash and Arth+Dic groups. A significant decrease in the body
weight of the Arth group compared to the control, and a significant increase in groups
Arth+Ash and Arth+Dic compared to the Arth group. Blood and tissue specimens
were harvested twice on the 14th and 21st days of the experiment. Hematological
outcomes showed normocytic normochromic anemia in Arth rats, and this effect was
alleviated upon the administration of Ash to Arth rats. While Dic had negative
drawbacks on erythrogram. T.L.C, neutrophils, lymphocytes and serum ALT, urea,
creatinine, IL-6, CRP, COX2, plasma fibrinogen, ESR, and hepatic TOC exhibited
substantial increment and decrement in serum IL-10 and hepatic TAC in the Arth
group. Meanwhile, the Arth+Ash and Arth+Dic groups showed significant
improvement in these parameters in comparison to the Arth group. Lastly, oral
administration of ashwagandha (W. sominefra) extract to rats with arthritis induced by
formalin, remarkably decreased paw thickness and alleviated unfavorable
modifications in all measured variables in a way better than diclofenac.