Evaluation of gross morphology and molecular effects of aqueous Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract on Monosodium iodoacetate induced osteoarthritis of temporomandibular joint in adult Wistar rat

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a global health burden as no current treatment is universally agreed upon as optimal. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of aqueous Azadirachta indica leaf extract on gross morphological and molecular changes in monosodium iodoacetate(MIA)-induced OAof TMJ of adult Wistar rats. Fifty-four (54) male adult Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 6 groups: (1) Control, (2) MIAalone, (3) MIA+ Steroid, (4) MIA+250 mg/kg Azadirachta indica, (5) 500 mg/kg Azadirachta indica, (6) MIA + 1000 mg/kg Azadirachta indica. Morphological data collected were condylar head shape (CHS) condylar head length (CHL), condylar head width (CHW) and condylar head height (CHH). The molecular data collected were matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. The morphological parameters were not affected by Azadirachta indica across the experimental animals (p>0.05). There was a significant increase in the levels of IL-1β and MMP-13 in the MIA alone group compared to the groups treated with Azadirachta indica and the steroid groups (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in the levels of IL-10 in the MIAalone group compared to the groups treated with Azadirachta indica and steroid groups (p<0.05).The study suggests protective effect of Azadirachta indica against MIA-induced OAof TMJ as demonstrated by molecular evaluation.