Pterostilbene exert an anti‐arthritic effect by attenuating inflammation, oxidative stress, and alteration of gut microbiota

Pterostilbene is a revesterol analog with a long bioavailability and having potent anti-inflammatory activity in animal studies. In this study, we tried to scrutinize the anti-arthritic effect of pterostilbene against complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis model in rats. CFA was used for induction of the RA, and rats were divided into groups depending on different doses of pterostilbene given. Hepatic, antioxidant, rheumatoid factor (RF), myeloperoxidase (MPO), inflammatory cytokines, anti-collagen(C)II-Ig, inflammatory mediators, and gut microbiota were estimated. Pterostilbene significantly (p < .001) decreased the paw swelling, arthritic score, and increased the body weight. Besides altered the antioxidant, inflammatory mediators, anti-collagen (C)II Ig, and inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, pterostilbene treatment helps to restore the ecosystem of gut microbiota in rats by reducing the relative abundance of Helicobacter, Desulfovibrio, Lachnospiraceae, and Mucispirillium. Based on the findings, we can say that pterostilbene has an anti-arthritic effect via suppressing inflammatory responses and altering intestinal bacteria. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Arthritis is the painful disease and affected most of the people worldwide. In this experimental study, we estimated the anti-arthritic effect of pterostilbene against CFA-induced arthritis in rats. Pterostilbene noticeably suppressed the paw thickness, arthritic score, and organ index. Pterostilbene substantially altered the oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction. Pterostilbene considerably modulated the gut microbiota, suggesting the anti-arthritic effect.