Abstract
Aims: To investigate the antipyretic effect of ethanol extract of Curcuma zedoaria Rosc. (Zingiberaceae) rhizome in animal model. Study Design: Extraction of plant constituents and evaluation of elevated body temperature lowering activity. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Dhaka between October 2012 and August 2013. Methodology: We have performed phytochemical screening and evaluated antipyretic activity of ethanol extract of the rhizome of Curcuma zedoaria by yeast-induced pyresis method. Ethanol extract of Curcuma zedoaria rhizome was administered to healthy rats. Results: The results showed that the ethanol extract of Curcuma zedoaria significantly reduced yeast-induced elevated body temperature in rats in a dose dependent manner and the antipyretic effect at a dose of 750 mg/kg was comparable to that of the standard antipyretic drug paracetamol (10 mg/kg). Phytochemical screening of ethanol extract showed presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpinoids, carbohydrates and steroids as main constituents in Curcuma zedoaria extract some of which may possess antipyretic activity. Conclusion: The results justify the traditional use of the ethanol extract of Curcuma zedoaria in the treatment of fever.
Highlights
Fever or pyrexia is caused as a secondary impact of infection, tissue damage, inflammation, graft rejection, malignancy or other diseased states [1]
The results showed that the ethanol extract of Curcuma zedoaria significantly reduced yeast-induced elevated body temperature in mice in a dose dependent manner and the antipyretic effect at a dose of 750 mg/kg was comparable to that of the standard antipyretic drug paracetamol (10 mg/kg)
The results justify the traditional use of the ethanol extract of Curcuma zedoaria in the treatment of fever
Summary
Fever or pyrexia is caused as a secondary impact of infection, tissue damage, inflammation, graft rejection, malignancy or other diseased states [1] It is the body's natural defense to create an environment where infectious agent or damaged tissue cannot survive. The infected or damaged tissue initiates the enhanced formation of pro-inflammatory mediator’s (cytokines like interleukin 1β, α, β and tumor necrosis factor-α), which increase the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) near preoptic hypothalamus area. They trigger the hypothalamus to elevate the body temperature [2]. To combat the proinflammatory mediators a number of plant extracts have been investigated to modulate cyclooxygenase pathway that inhibit leukotriene and prostaglandins synthesis by inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2 pathways [3,4]
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