title: Effects of Tarchonanthus camphoratus and Eriocephalus africanus on nociception in mice and pyrexia in rats.
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.
authors.affiliation: Traditional Medicine Research Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa. gamabeoku@uwc.ac.za
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Amabeoku
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eagles
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benjeddou
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005334:Fever / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D010936:Plant Extracts