Antipyretic activity of alpha- and beta-santonin.
The antipyretic activity of two sesquiterpene lactones, beta-santonin and arsubin, isolated from the lipid fraction of Artemisia coerulescens subsp. gallica was determined in rats along with the activity of alpha-santonin. In its alpha- and beta-forms, santonin caused a decrease in the body temperature of rats made febrile by the subcutaneous injection of beer yeast. This decrease, more pronounced in the case of beta-santonin, was dose-dependent and antagonized by pretreatment with haloperidol, an agent that also opposes the antipyretic activity of dopamine. These findings seem to show that the alpha- and beta-forms of santonin act on rectal temperature in a way similar to dopamine.
Martín
M L
ML
Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Spain.
Morán
A
A
Carrón
R
R
Montero
M J
MJ
San Román
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008784:Methysergide / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012500:Santonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012500:Santonin; D001285:Atropine; D006220:Haloperidol; D008784:Methysergide