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