title: Antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Kickxia ramosissima.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Branched cancerwort, Kickxia ramosissima (Wall.) Janchen (Scrophulariaceae) is traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders such as rheumatism, diabetes, jaundice and for activation of immune system. Local communities also used this plant for the treatment of spleen enlargement, as febrifuge and in dysmenorrhea. In this investigation antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of K. ramosissima have been evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dried powder of the whole plant of K. ramosissima was extracted with methanol (KRM) and partitioned with solvents to obtain the n-hexane (KRH), chloroform (KRC), ethyl acetate (KRE), n-butanol (KRB) and the residual aqueous (KRA) fraction. KRM and the derived fractions were analyzed for the phytochemical constituents, yeast induced pyrexia, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities by using carrageenan and Freunds' complete adjuvant-induced paw edema model in rat. On account of appreciable effects of KRM in the aforesaid models, KRM was subjected to the carrageenan induced air pouch model in rat. The exudate of air pouch was analyzed for the count of neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes and WBCs and for the estimation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin (PGE2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phytochemical investigation of KRM indicated the existence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, saponins, terpenoids and phlobatannins. Maximum concentration of total phenolic was determined in KRB followed by KRM while reverse was true for total flavonoids contents. KRM (200mg/kg) distinctly decreased the rectal temperature in yeast induced pyrexia comparable to standard, paracetamol. Pain sensation was effectively inhibited at 200mg/kg p.o. of KRM and KRB as manifested by a decrease (P<0.001) in count of writhing induced with acetic acid and increase of latency time in hot plate. Anti-inflammatory effects of KRM were evident and edema formation induced with carrageenan and Freunds' complete adjuvant-induced paw edema in rat was significantly (P<0.001) inhibited. Count of neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and WBCs along with inflammatory mediators; IL-6, NO, TNF-α and PGE2 was significantly (P<0.001) decreased in subcutaneous air pouch exudate with KRM. HPLC analysis of KRM indicated the presence of gallic acid, caffeic acid, rutin, catechin and myricetin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggested the anti-inflammatory effects of KRM in inflammation related disorders, might be attributed by the presence of active phytoconstituents; flavonoids, saponins and terpenoids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan. Electronic address: sj.myla@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shumaila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan. Electronic address: mrkhanqau@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Muhammad Rashid
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000700:Analgesics / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058633:Antipyretics / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002351:Carrageenan; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005528:Foot / Q000473:pathology; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068377:Plantaginaceae; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae; D012503:Saponins / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013729:Terpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D058633:Antipyretics; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D013729:Terpenes; D002351:Carrageenan; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D019342:Acetic Acid
keywords: Analgesic; Antipyretic; Inflammatory mediators; Kickxia ramosissima; PGE(2); TNF- α