Investigation of In Vivo Antipyretic Activity of Thottea dependens leaves

Leaves of Thottea dependens have been used as folk medicine in Malaysia for the treatment of several conditions involving pain and inflammation with accompanying pyrexia. However, there is no scientific evidence for its effectiveness to treat fever. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-pyretic activity of methanol (MeOH) and aqueous (Aq) extracts of T. dependens leaves in albino mice (ICR strain). Methods: Thirty-six albino mice of both sexes, randomized into six groups (n=6) were used. Group I served as the control and received only the vehicle, normal saline. Group II received paracetamol 150 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) orally, groups III and IV received 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. of the MeOH extract while groups V and VI received 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w. of the Aq extract orally. Pyrexia was induced by a subcutaneous injection of 10 mL/kg b.w. of 15% (w/v) yeast suspended in 0.5% (w/v) methylcellulose solution. LD50 of both extracts were determined according to the method of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines. Phytochemical screening was carried out qualitatively for the presence of different class of biologically active compounds. Results: LD50 values for both extracts were found to be greater than 1000 mg/kg b.w. indicating the wide margin of safety of T. dependens leaves. The MeOH extract at 200 mg/kg b.w. showed statistically significant (P<0.01) dose dependent reduction of brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia in albino mice. Flavonoids, saponins and phenolic compounds were found to be major biologically active phytoconstituents in MeOH extract. Conclusion: The study showed that T. dependens leaves possess significant anti-pyretic activity, thus justifying its ethnomedicinal use in Malaysia to treat fever.

Anti-pyretic Activity of Garcinia kola Seed Extract.

Garcinia kola (Heckel) has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of several ailments. One of these is its use for the treatment of conditions involving pain and inflammation with accompanying pyrexia. Our objective is to evaluate the anti-pyretic property of Garcinia kola (Heckel) seed extract in albino Wistar rats. Twenty-five albino Wistar rats of both sexes, randomized into five groups were used. Group one served as the control and received only the vehicle, propylene glycol. Group two received paracetamol 150 mg/kg body weight orally while groups three to five received 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg body weight of the extract orally respectively. Pyrexia was induced using brewer’s yeast. We found LD50, determined by Lorke’s method to be greater than 5000 mg/kg indicating the wide margin of safety of Garcinia kola (Heckel) seeds. The extract at doses of 500, 1000 and 1500 mg/kg respectively showed statistically significant (P<0.01) dose dependent reduction of brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia in albino Wistar rats. The study shows that Garcinia kola (Heckel) seeds possess significant anti-pyretic activity, thus justifying its ethnomedicinal use.

Antipyretic activity of platycladus orieantalis leaves extract in rat.

The study was conducted to screen the antipyretic activity of alcoholic extract of the leaf of Platycladus Orieantalis .Platycladus Orieantalis is a potent medicinal plant in the Indian systems of medicine. Traditionally it is used as a diuretic, anticancer, anticonvulsant, stomachic, antipyretic, analgesic, etc. In the present study the alcoholic extract of the leaf of Platycladus Orieantalis were studied for their antipyretic activity by Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. It was observed that the alcoholic extract produced significant antipyretic activity (p < 0.05). The extract showed marked antipyretic activity in a dose dependent manner.