Anti-pyretic, anti-infl ammatory, and analgesic effects of leaf extract of drumstick tree

Objectives: The aim was to investigate the antipyretic, anti-infl ammatory and analgesic activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Moringa oleifera, commonly known as drumstick tree. Materials and Methods: The study is a randomized controlled experimental study. The experiments were carried out dividing the animals in six groups, each containing six animals. Ethanolic extract of Moringa M. oleifera (EMO was administered at 50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg doses orally to the respective four groups. Control was normal saline (orally at 2 ml/kg body weight). Antipyretic activity was done in albino rats using the Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia model, standard used was paracetamol (100 mg/kg). Anti-infl ammatory action was screened using carrageenan induced paw edema model in albino rats. Analgesic actions was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing test and Eddy’s hot plate test for the peripheral and central analgesic actions respectively using albino mice. Results: The ethanolic leaf extract of M. oleifera showed signifi cant (P < 0.05) antipyretic and anti-infl ammatory activities at 100, 200, 400 mg/kg. The percentage inhibition of paw edema at 3rd h was 64.77% for aspirin and EMO 400 mg/kg showed 56.81% comparing with the control. Signifi cant (P < 0.01) analgesic activity was exhibited by ethanolic leaf extract of M. oleifera at 100, 200, 400 mg/kg in both the acetic acid induced writhing test and the Eddy’s hot plate test in comparison with control. Dose-dependent increase in the percentage inhibition of writhes was noted with EMO 100, 200, 400 mg/kg showing 26%, 51% and 81%, respectively. Conclusion: Thus, our study concludes that EMO leaves has antipyretic, anti-infl ammatory, and both central and peripheral analgesic actions.