Phytochemical constituents and antipyretic activities of methanol leaf extract of Costus afer (Family: Zingiberaceae)

Abstract

The methanol extract of Costus afer leaf (MECAL) was evaluated for its antipyretic potential on normal body temperature and Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia in albino rats model. Preliminary phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity test of the extract in mice was done. The result showed that the plant has good antipyretic effect. Yeast suspension (10 ml/kg body weight) elevated rectal temperature after 19 h of subcutaneous injection. Intraperitoneal administration of MECAL at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight showed significant reduction in normal rectal body temperature (35.96 ± 1.40, 35.38 ± 0.13 and 35.40 ± 0.60 respectively). MECAL at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg caused significant reduction of rectal temperature of hyperthermic rats by 37.75 ± 0.21, 38.10 ± 0.15 and 37.10 ± 0.32 respectively, in a dose-dependent manner after 5 h of treatment and the effect was comparable to that of the standard antipyretic drug-paracetamol (150 mg/kg body weight). The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and glycosides. The LD50 using the methanol leaf extract of Costus afer was administered through intraperitoneal route in mice and was not toxic since no death was recorded at the dose of 5000 mg/kg. The study revealed that the methanol extract of Costus afer exhibited significant (P< 0.05) antipyretic activity in the tested models and may provide the scientific rationale for its popular use in folk medicines in relief of fever and pain.

Keywords: Costus afer, anti-pyretic, Zingiberaceae, rats, phytochemistry

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 7 No.3 (2010)