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Comparative study of antipyretic potency of extracts of morinda lucida leaves and fruits of capsicum frutescens in albino rats


Adedotun A Adefolalu
Bamidele V Owoyele
Ayoade A Adesokan

Abstract

Background: Morinda lucida leaves and fruits of Capsicum frutescens are used locally in the management of fever in Nigeria. No scientific credence has been lent to this claim.


Objective: To investigate the antipyretic effect and potency of aqueous extracts of Morinda lucida leaves and fruits of Capsicum frutescens in albino rats.


Method: Brewer's yeast was used to induce pyrexia. Thirty animals were divided into six groups. Group A was orally administered normal saline (103 mg/kg). Group B was served indomethacin (5 mg/kg), while groups C and D received aqueous extract of Capsicum frutescens at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg, 17 hours post induction of pyrexia. Groups E and F were administered extract of Morinda lucida at the same doses. Rectal temperature of the animals was taken at 60-, 90- and 120-minutes post-treatment.


Results: Both C. frutescens and M. lucida produced significant reduction (p<0.05) in rectal temperature after 120 minutes in the rats compared with animals in the control group. Also, the antipyretic activities of the two extracts at 100mg/kg and 200mg/ kg were comparable to 5mg/kg of indomethacin, with apparent dose dependence in the antipyretic activities of both extracts.


Conclusion: Morinda lucida leaves and fruits of Capsicum frutescens exhibit dose-dependent antipyretic activities.


Keywords: Morinda lucida; Capsicum frutescens; brewer’s yeast; antipyretic; rectal temperature.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1729-0503
print ISSN: 1680-6905