title: Pharmacological evidence for the folk use of Nefang: antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of its constituent plants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nefang is a polyherbal anti-malarial composed of Mangifera indica ( MiB and MiL; bark and leaf), Psidium guajava ( Pg ), Carica papaya ( Cp ), Cymbopogon citratus ( Cc ), Citrus sinensis ( Cs ) and Ocimum gratissimum ( Og ) (leaves). Previous studies have demonstrated its in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activities, antioxidant properties and safety profile. This study aimed at evaluating the antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the constituent plants of Nefang which are relevant to the symptomatic treatment of malaria fever.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antipyretic activities were determined by the D-Amphetamine induced pyrexia and Brewer's Yeast induced hyperpyrexia methods. Anti-inflammatory activities were investigated using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method. Antinociceptive activities were determined by mechanical nociception in the tail pressure and thermal nociception in the radiant heat tail flick and hot plate methods. Data was analysed using the one way ANOVA followed by Neuman-Keuls multiple comparison test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Best percentage inhibition of induced pyrexia (amphetamine/brewer's yeast; p < 0.05) was exhibited by Cc (95/97) followed by Og (85/94), MiL (90/89), MiB (88/84) and Cs (82/89). Cc and Og exhibited comparable activities to paracetamol (100/95). Anti-inflammatory studies revealed paw edema inhibition (%) as follows (p < 0.05): Indomethacin (47), MiL (40), Cp (30), MiB (28) and Og (22), suggesting best activity by MiL. Antinociceptive studies revealed significant (p < 0.01) pain inhibition (%) as follows: Paracetamol (97), Og (113), MiL (108), Pg (84) and MiB (88). Og and MiL exhibited the best activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained suggest that the constituent plants possess biologically active compounds with antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. These activities are essential in the symptomatic treatment of malaria fever, thereby justifying the folk use of Nefang. This would be useful in its subsequent development for clinical application.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), P. O. Box 6163, Yaoundé, Cameroon. ptarkang@yahoo.co.uk.|Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya. ptarkang@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Protus Arrey
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Tarkang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya. okalebof@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Faith A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Okalebo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya. juma.simiyu@uonbi.ac.ke.
authors.forename: Juma D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Siminyu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya. njihiamn@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: William N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Ngugi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya. amos.mwaura@uonbi.ac.ke.
authors.forename: Amos M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mwaura
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. mugweruj@uonbi.ac.ke.
authors.forename: Jackson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mugweru
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), P. O. Box 6163, Yaoundé, Cameroon. agogae@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Gabriel A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Agbor
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya. anguantai@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Anastasia N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Guantai
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058633:Antipyretics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002163:Cameroon; D002351:Carrageenan; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D008517:Phytotherapy; D024301:Plant Bark; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000187:drug effects; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000962:Antimalarials; D058633:Antipyretics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002351:Carrageenan