ANTIINFLAMMATORY AND ANTIPYRETIC ACTIVITIES OF LEAF EXTRACT OF SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM IN RODENTS
Utibe Edem, John Udobang* and Jude Okokon
ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Saccharum officinarum (Family-Poaceae) is used by the Ibibios of South South Nigeria in treating diseases such as malaria and fever among others. Material and Methods: Investigation for anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities in rodents using known experimental models was carried out on the leaf extract of S. officinarum. 170-510 mg/kg of S. officinarum leaf extract was investigated for anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenin, egg albumin and xylene - induced edema models and antipyretic activity against D-amphetamine, 2,4-dinitrophenol and yeast-induced pyrexia models. Results: There was a significant (p<0.05 - 0.001) dose-dependent reduction of inflammation by the extract of S. officinarum. These reductions in inflammation were comparable to the effect of one of the standard drugs, (ASA, 100 mg/kg) used. The extract also caused significant (p<0.05–0.001) dose-dependent inhibition of pyrexia on amphetamine, dinitrophenol and yeast-induced pyrexia from 3 to 5 hrs of its post-administration. The anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the extract of S. officinarum may in part be mediated through the chemical constituents present in the plant. Conclusion: The findings of this work confirm the ethnomedical uses of S. officinarum in the treatment of ailments of inflammatory and febrile origin.
Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Saccharum officinarum, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, fever, swelling.
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