Preliminary evaluation of antinociceptive and antipyretic activities of aqueous extract of the leaves of <i>Xylopia parviflora</i>

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and antipyretic activities of orally administered aqueous extract of the leaves of Xylopia parviflora (Benth) using the acetic acid, formalin and the hot plate-induced pain and the antipyretic tests. These were carried out in albino mice or rats of both sexes using standard procedures. The results obtained indicated that the aqueous extract of the leaves of Xylopia parviflora significantly (p<0.05) reduced pain induced by administration of 0.1ml/kg acetic acid (0.6%) in mice at oral doses of 140 and 210mg/kg. Similarly, the extract at doses of 140 and 210mg/kg significantly (P<0.05) reduced Formalin – induced nociception in both early and late phases in our rat model compared to control. However the reduction was not significant (P>0.05) at a lower dose of 70mg/kg of the extract in both phases. Results of the hot-plate test in our mice model showed that the extract significantly increased the reaction time in all groups administered the extract. It was also observed that the extract possessed an antipyretic effect in our rat model (P<0.05). These effects were observed to be dose-dependent. Based on these results it can be reported that the aqueous extract of the leaves of Xylopia parviflorapossesses a dose -dependent analgesic and antipyretic activities. These findings may justify its traditional use in febrile disease conditions such as malaria and typhoid fever.


Key words: Xylopia parviflora, Antinociception, Antipyretic, Traditional medicine.

Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol. 2 (1) 2005: 43-48