Leflunomide with Meloxicam on Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis and its Associated Depression in AIA Rats

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which patients not only suffer from joint misery but also face its associated depression. Objectives: To evaluate the anti-arthritic effects of leflunomide (5 mg.kg-1.day-1) and meloxicam (5 mg.kg-1.day-1) when given together on progression of rheumatoid arthritis and its associated depression in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritic (AIA) rats. Methodology: AIA was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Paw volumes was measured to evaluate arthritic progression while brain indolamines (tryptophan, serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) were estimated by HPLC-EC method to determine associated depression. Leflunomide and meloxicam were given orally and intraperitoneally throughout the experiment. Results: Leflunomide and meloxicam inhibited RA progression significantly (p