Analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and nephritic effects of the aerial parts of Pulicaria arabica (Family: Compositae) on rats.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, hepatic and nephritic effects of Pulicaria arabica (P. arabica) in several experimental models.

METHODS

For analgesic effect hot plate and writhing method were used, while for antipyretic and anti-inflammatory rectal temperature and carrageenan induced hind paw edema were used respectively. CCl4 intoxication method was used for hepatic and nephritic protective activity.

RESULTS

The results of the present studies revealed that P. arabica has potent analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory with the significant hepatic and nephritic protecting actions. The CCl4 intoxication changed the normal malondialdehyde and nonprotein sulfhydryls levels in both liver and kidney. These changes were normalized with P. arabica indicating the antioxidant nature of this plant.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of present study indicated that P. arabica can be used in analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory conditions even in hepatic and nephritic conditions. More supportive studies are required before clinical recommendation.