Background: Vitex negundo and Andrographis paniculata have a multitude of remedies for several diseases. As the treatment of fever was one such remedy, we found that not much work has been done on the antipyretic effect of these plants.
Aims and Objective: The aims and objective of this study were to evaluate and compare the antipyretic activity of aqueous leaf extracts of V. negundo and A. paniculata in rabbits.
Materials and Methods: Laboratory breed New Zealand strains of rabbits of either sex weighing 10001500 g were used in the study. The animals were divided into five groups (n = 6) in both the sets. The rabbits of all the groups were made febrile by administrating misoprostol (prostaglandin E1) subcutaneously in the dose of 100 mcg/kg. For Groups 1 and 2, normal saline 2 ml/kg as control and aspirin 28 mg/kg as standard were given, respectively, in both the sets. V. negundo and A. paniculata in the doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg were given in remaining three groups of both sets, respectively. Rectal temperatures were monitored for every 30 min after treatment started up to 240 min, and its effects were compared to aspirin.
Results: Aqueous extracts of V. negundo and A. paniculata produced highly significant (P < 0.001) antipyretic effect in 400 and 800 mg/kg doses. However, the onset of action was fast with V. negundo.
Conclusion: The study concludes that aqueous extract of V. negundo has fast onset and sustained antipyretic action in New Zealand rabbits, whereas A. paniculata has delayed onset and sustained antipyretic effect.
Key words: Andrographis paniculata; Antipyretic; Digital Thermometer; Prostaglandin E1; Vitex negundo
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