title: Analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties of Euphorbia hirta.
abstract: Lyophilised aqueous extract of Euphorbia hirta L. (Euphorbiaceae) has been evaluated for analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties in mice and rats, in order to complete its activity profile, after the confirmation of the existence of a central depressant activity particularly expressed by a strong sedative effect, associated with anxiolytic effects. This study leads us to the conclusion that this plant extract exerts central analgesic properties. Such a dose-dependent action was obtained against chemical (writhing test) and thermic (hot plate test) stimuli, respectively, from the doses of 20 and 25 mg/kg and it was inhibited by a naloxone pretreatment, a specific morphinic antagonist compound. An antipyretic activity was obtained at the sedative doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg, on the yeast-induced hyperthermia. Finally, significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effects were observed on an acute inflammatory process (carrageenan-induced edema test in rats) from the dose of 100 mg/kg. On the other hand, plant extract remained inactive on chronic processes such as Freund's adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis, after a chronic treatment during fourteen days at the daily dose of 200 or 400 mg/kg; however, if inefficacy was observed on rat backpaws edema and on loss of weight, the aqueous extract reduced the inflammatory hyperalgia.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, Université de Metz, France.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lanhers
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fleurentin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dorfman
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mortier
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pelt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010936:Plant Extracts