RESUMO
The methanol extract of Diospyros mespiliformis was evaluated for its claimed folkloric usage in the relief of pain and fever. Antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract were evaluated in rats and mice. Studies were carried out on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats, acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, formalin test and egg albumin-induced anti-inflammatory activity in rats. The extract (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) gave a potent antipyretic effect for 100 mg/kg and significant activity (P<0.05) against all the analgesic and anti-inflammatory models used. The LD(50) of the extract was estimated to be 513.80+/-33.92 mg/kg i.p. in mice. These results provide support for the use of the plant in relieving pain and fever.
Assuntos
Diospyros , Febre/tratamento farmacológico , Medicina Tradicional , Dor/tratamento farmacológico , Animais , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos/métodos , Camundongos , Medição da Dor/efeitos dos fármacos , Medição da Dor/métodos , Extratos Vegetais/isolamento & purificação , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
The effects of the aqueous extract of Zizypus spina-christi Willd root bark against exploratory behaviour, spontaneous motor activity (SMA), motor coordination (Rota-rod performance) and pentobarbital-induced hypnosis were investigated in mice. The extract induced a significant (P<0.05) dose-dependent reduction in exploratory behaviour and SMA when administered orally. It also prolonged pentobarbital sleeping time but failed to inhibit motor coordination (rota-rod performance) in the experimental mice. These results suggest that the extract contained some constituents that depress the central nervous system, which may not be due to neuromuscular blockade.