Elsevier

Fitoterapia

Volume 71, Issue 2, 1 April 2000, Pages 147-153
Fitoterapia

Antipyretic, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of Premna herbacea roots

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(99)00132-XGet rights and content

Abstract

The alcoholic extract of the roots of Premna herbacea was investigated for its antipyretic, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential in animal models. The extract, when administered orally to mice has been found to be safe up to a dose of 8.0 g/kg. A significant antipyretic effect has been observed in rabbits while mild antinociceptive effects were evidenced in mice when tested by chemical as well as thermal methods. The extract did not exhibit any anti-inflammatory activity in acute but significantly reduced the chronic inflammation.

Introduction

Premna herbacea Roxb., syn. Pygmacopremna herbacea (Roxb.) Mold. (Verbenaceae), known as Sirutekku in Tamil, is used in Siddha, the traditional system of medicine practised in south India. Sirutekku is claimed to be useful in treating fevers (including malarial fever), inflammation, rheumatism, respiratory disorders and as a sedative [1], [2]. As there is no scientific evidence in support of these claims, the roots of this plant were subjected to pharmacological screening.

Section snippets

Plant material

P. herbacea roots, collected in October 1996, procured from Thiruvananthapuram crude drug market (Kerala State) and identified by Dr V. Chelladurai, Survey of Medicinal Plants Unit (CCRAS, Govt of India), Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu. A voucher specimen (Pharm No.15/96) has been deposited in the herbarium of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Madras Medical College, Chennai.

Preparation of extract

Shade dried and powdered root (2.8 kg) was extracted with EtOH at room temperature (72 h) and the extract was

Acute toxicity

The alcoholic extract of P. herbacea roots, when orally administered in the dose range of 0.5–8.0 g/kg to mice, did not produce any significant change in the autonomic or behavioural responses during the observation period. No mortality was observed up to the 7th day of monitoring.

Antipyretic activity

Administration of TAB vaccine in rabbits produced a significant increase in rectal temperature at 60 min, which gradually decreased after 120 min. Treatment with P. herbacea (100–400 mg/kg, p.o) significantly reduced

Discussion

Among several traditional claims, the effectiveness of Sirutekku in fever and inflammation has been particularly emphasised [2]. Hence, it was considered that pharmacological investigation on P. herbacea for these properties was deserved to scientifically validate the traditional claims. The antinociceptive effect was also investigated since most of the non-steroidal agents used against fever and inflammation also possess antinociceptive activity.

The results of acute toxicity testing indicate

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr V. Chelladurai, Survey of Medicinal Plants Unit (CCRAS, Govt of India), Tirunelveli for the procurement and identification of the plant material and the Dean, Madras Medical College for facilities.

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