Bio efficacy of Methanol Leaf Extracts of C. pareira L., L. camara L., and O. gratissimum L. Against Fever in Rats

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the antipyretic potency of methanol extracts of Cissampelos pareira, Lantana camara and Ocimum gratissimum in Swiss Albino mice.

Methods: The leaf samples were obtained from Embu County, Kenya. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of the extracts was conducted via LC-MS and GC-MS methods. The study was performed in eight sets each with 5 Wistar rats (n = 5): positive control, normal control, negative control as well as experimental. Group I (normal control) rats were injected intraperitoneally with a solution of DMSO only. Group II (negative control) constituted rats initiated with fever using turpentine alongside DMSO. Group III, (positive control) included turpentine-induced pyretic rats administered with aspirin. Groups IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII composed of turpentine-induced pyretic rats that were intraperitoneally injected with various extracts dosages. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (v25) software.

Results: The plant extracts possess antipyretic activities that are comparable to the standard therapy, aspirin. Quantitative phytochemistry showed that the extracts contained bioactive principles such as terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids which can mediate antipyretic activities.

Conclusion: The studied plants are adorned with secondary metabolites that have antipyretic efficacies in mice. Hence, this study validates the folkloric use of the tested plants to manage fever among the Mbeere community in Kenya.