Effects of Tarchonanthus camphoratus and Eriocephalus africanus on nociception in mice and pyrexia in rats

Phytomedicine. 2000 Dec;7(6):517-22. doi: 10.1016/S0944-7113(00)80038-0.

Abstract

The affects of water extracts of the leaves of T. camphoratus and E. africanus on acetic acid- and hotplate-induced nociception and lipopolysaccharide-induced pyrexia were investigated. The writhing induced by acetic acid was significantly attenuated by T. camphoratus (50-100 mg/kg, i.p.), and E. africanus (50-200 mg/kg, i.p.). Similarly, the pain produced by the hot-plate was significantly antagonized by T. camphoratus (100 mg/kg, i.p.), and E. africanus (50-100 mg/kg, i.p.). T. camphoratus (100 mg/kg, i.p.), and E. africanus (100-200 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly attenuated the fever produced by the bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, 50 microg/kg, i.m.). Paracetamol (500 mg/kg, i.p.), produced similar effect to T. camphoratus and E. africanus on acetic acid-induced writhes but did not affect the pain and the fever produced by the hot-plate and lipopolysaccharide respectively, to any significant extent. These results indicate that both T. camphoratus and E. africanus have analgesic and antipyretic properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fever / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Nociceptors / drug effects*
  • Pain / prevention & control*
  • Pain Measurement / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Plant Leaves
  • Plants, Medicinal*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Plant Extracts