Evaluation of Antipyretic Potential of Pseudocedrela kotschyi Schweint. Harms (Meliaceae)
G. C. Akuodor *
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
A. D. Essien
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
G. A. Essiet
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
Essien David-Oku
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
J. L. Akpan
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ebonyi State, University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
F. V. Udoh
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Pseudocedrela kotschyi is used in ethnomedicinal practice for the treatment of fever, pains and inflammation. The ethanol leaf extract of the plant was investigated for antipyretic potency in rats. Yeast and amphetamine induced hyperpyrexia were used to determine the antipyretic activity. The leaf extract (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg i.p.), exhibited significant (P<0.05) dose dependent effect on the tested experimental animal models of pyrexia. The LD50 was established to be 775 mg/kg, i.p. in mice. The results obtained suggest that the ethanol leaf extract may be a promising agent for the treatment of pyrexia.
Keywords: Pseudocedrela kotschyi, herbal medicine, ethanol extract, antipyretic activity, rats