Anti-Inflammatory and Antipyretic Activity of Methanol Leaf Extract of Phoenix Reclinata, Jacq (Aracaceae)

Abstract

Phoenix reclinata, Jacq (Arecaceae), known as the wild date palm, has garnered interest for its traditional applications in folk medicine, specifically for its anti inflammatory and antipyretic properties. Some local communities in Ethiopia traditionally use decoctions and remedies derived from Phoenix reclinata extracts to treat fever. This study was designed to evaluate the acute and chronic anti inflammatory activities, as well as antipyretic activity of the methanol leaf extract of P. reclinata Jacq (aracaceae). The acute anti inflammatory effect was evaluated in rats using egg albumin while the chronic anti inflammatory activity was studied in formaldehyde induced inflammation. The LD50 of the extract was more than 5000 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, sterols, phenolic compounds and terpenes. The antipyretic activity was evaluated by using the brewer’s yeast pyrexia induction method. Inr the egg albumin model, the methanol extract showed significant ( P 0.05) inhibition of up to 52% at 400 mg/kg on the 5th hour. In the chronic model, there was a significant P 0.05) inhibition of formaldehyde induced paw oedema over the period in groups treated with the methanol extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and ibuprofen (400mg/kg). The methanol extract of P. reclinata (400 mg/kg) produced the highest inhibition (46 %) on the 10th day (P<0.05). In the antipyretic studies, administration of the methanol extract of P. reclinata significantly P 0.05) decreased the rectal temperature at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. Therefore, the findings underscore the promising anti inflammatory and antipyretic properties of Phoenix reclinata methanol leaf extract and supports its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing inflammatory conditions and fever.