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Anti-inflammatory,
analgesic and antipyretic activities of the aqueous extract
of Hippobromus pauciflorus (L.f) Radlk leaves
in male Wistar rats
S.C. Pendota, M. T. Yakubu,
D. S. Grierson and A. J. Afolayan*
Department
of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice 5700, South
Africa.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
Aafolayan@ufh.ac.za.
Fax: +27866282295.
Accepted
19 March, 2009 |
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The aqueous extract of Hippobromus pauciflorus (L.f)
Radlk leaves at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight were
evaluated for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic
activities in male rats. Anti-inflammatory activity was
studied by using carrageenan and histamine induced oedema
right hind paw volume while the analgesic effect was
evaluated using formalin-induced pain and tail flick
nociception response. The brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia
model was used for antipyretic investigation. Phytochemical
screening of the aqueous extract revealed the presence of
tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenes, cardiac glycosides
and saponins. The extract at all the doses used and the
indomethacin significantly inhibited both the carrageenan-
and histamine-induced inflammation in a manner that was not
dose dependent. The extract reduced the formalin-induced
pain licking as well as prolonged the reaction time in the
tail flick-induced pain. While the 50 and 100 mg/kg body
weight of the extract reduced the brewer’s yeast provoked
elevated body temperature in rats after 60 min, that of 200
mg/kg body weight manifested from 30 min. The results
suggest a potential benefit of H. pauciflorus leaves
in treating conditions associated with inflammation, pain
and fever. These properties might be adduced to the presence
of the phytoconstituents.
Key
words:
Hippobromus pauciflorus, anti-inflammatory,
analgesic, antipyretic, brewer’s yeast, pyrexia. |
