Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the aqueous extract of Hippobromus pauciflorus (L.f) Radlk leaves in male Wistar rats

Abstract

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. Antiinflammatory 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.