Anti-pyretic activity of some plants in female albino rats: a preliminary report
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Anti-pyretic activity of some plants in female albino rats: a preliminary report
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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B. Suresh, S. Dhanasekaran, K. Elango, M. Sethuraman, S. Rajan
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Anti-pyretic activity of some plants in female albino rats: a preliminary report
Year: 1995
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
This preliminary report investigates the anti-pyretic activity of three plants—Ailanthus excelsa (AE), Toddalia asiatica (TA), and Araucaria bidwillii (AB)—in female albino rats. The research was conducted by a team from the Department of Pharmacology at the J.S.S. College of Pharmacy and other affiliated institutions in Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu, India. The study is motivated by the ethno-pharmacological significance of these plants, which are traditionally used for medicinal purposes by local tribal groups. By evaluating the efficacy of these plants in reducing fever in a yeast-induced hyperthermic model, the study aims to validate folk medicinal practices and enrich the scant literature on indigenous medicinal plants from the Nilgiri district.
Anti-Pyretic Activity Findings
The study employed an experimental model using adult Wistar strain female albino rats to ascertain the anti-pyretic effects of the ethanolic extracts from the selected plants. Dosages administered were AE at 100 mg/kg, TA at 60 mg/kg, and AB at 30 mg/kg, with controls including paracetamol and solvent. Results indicated that both the root and aerial fractions of TA exhibited significant anti-pyretic activity comparable to paracetamol, while oleoresin from AB also displayed similar effects. Notably, all extracts demonstrated varying degrees of anti-pyretic action, with preliminary phytochemical analyses revealing the presence of several organic constituents, including alkaloids and glycosides, which may contribute to their therapeutic effects.
Conclusion
The findings from this study provide supportive evidence for the anti-pyretic properties of Ailanthus excelsa, Toddalia asiatica, and Araucaria bidwillii. The pronounced effects of these plants affirm their traditional use by tribal communities in the Nilgiri district for treating fever and related ailments, while also spotlighting the need for further research to substantiate these results across different experimental paradigms. As such, this study contributes to a growing body of knowledge regarding the pharmacological potential of indigenous plants, prompting future investigations that could lead to new therapeutic applications.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the focus of the study on plants in albino rats?
The study focused on the anti-pyretic activity of ethanolic extracts from Ailanthus excelsa, Toddalia asiatica, and Araucaria bidwillii in female albino rats using a yeast-induced hyperthermic test model.
Which plant extracts showed significant anti-pyretic activity in the study?
Toddalia asiatica and Araucaria bidwillii exhibited pronounced anti-pyretic activity comparable to paracetamol, while Ailanthus excelsa also demonstrated a moderate degree of anti-pyretic effect in the tested models.
What were the methods used to determine the plants' effectiveness?
The researchers administered ethanolic extracts of three plants to albino rats and recorded rectal temperatures at various intervals after inducing hyperthermia with yeast to assess the anti-pyretic effects.
What important acknowledgments were made in the study?
The authors expressed gratitude to prominent individuals and institutions for their encouragement, including His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sivarathreeswhara Deshikandra Mahaswami and Dr. Avvai Natarajan.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Anti-pyretic activity of some plants in female albino rats: a preliminary report”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Activity:
Activity refers to the specific physiological effects exerted by the plant extracts when administered to test subjects, in this case, female albino rats. It encompasses the anti-pyretic activity observed after treatment and indicates how effective the extracts are in lowering fever, validating potential medicinal uses of the studied plants.
2) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological pertains to the study of the effects of substances on biological systems. In this context, it relates to the evaluation of the medicinal properties of plants such as Ailanthus excelsa and Toddalia asiatica, particularly in their ability to influence fever reduction, supporting their traditional therapeutic applications.
3) Phytochemical:
Phytochemical relates to the chemical compounds found in plants that contribute to their properties and effects. This study's preliminary phytochemical screening identified various constituents within the extracts, providing insight into their potential mechanisms of action and therapeutic value, which is crucial for understanding their efficacy as antipyretics.
4) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology that studies drug action. This research falls under pharmacology as it investigates the therapeutic effects of plant extracts on fever in rats, emphasizing the importance of understanding how natural substances can be integrated into medicinal practices and their safety profiles.
5) Sugar:
Sugar, in the context of this study, refers to a specific organic constituent identified during phytochemical screening of plant samples. The presence of sugars in the extracts may influence their physiological effects and contribute to the overall efficacy of the plants in managing fever, showcasing their complex biochemical nature.
6) Toxicity:
Toxicity refers to the degree to which a substance can cause harm to an organism. The study included an acute toxicity analysis of the plant extracts on albino rats, providing essential safety data that informs their potential use in traditional and modern medicine, ensuring that therapeutic applications are conducted safely.
7) Drug:
Drug refers to any substance that can have a physiological effect when introduced into the body. In this study, the plant extracts, which display anti-pyretic properties, can be seen as natural drugs. They highlight the importance of exploring and understanding alternatives to synthetic drugs in medicine.
8) Discussion:
Discussion involves the interpretation and implications of the study's findings. It presents an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the observed anti-pyretic effects of the plant extracts, their cultural relevance, how they align with traditional health practices, and future research directions necessary to validate these results.
9) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses the fields related to health care and the treatment of illness. This study contributes to the broader field of medicine by investigating the medicinal properties of local plants, which have historically been used by tribal communities, showcasing the need for integrating traditional knowledge with scientific validation.
10) Kurumba:
Kurumba refers to one of the indigenous tribal groups inhabiting the Nilgiri district, where the plants studied are traditionally used. Their ethnobotanical practices and knowledge about local flora inform the direction of pharmacological research, emphasizing the significance of collaborating with indigenous communities for medicinal discoveries.
11) Science (Scientific):
Science is the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experimentation. This research applies scientific methods to explore the medicinal properties of plants, contributing to the broader body of knowledge regarding traditional medicine and its efficacy, thus promoting a scientific understanding of ethnomedicine.
12) Paniya (Paṇiya, Pānīya, Pāṇiyā):
Paniya refers to another indigenous tribe in the Nilgiri district that may hold traditional knowledge related to the medicinal use of local plants. Their cultural practices may enrich pharmacological research by providing insights into the historical uses of these plants, underscoring the importance of preserving indigenous wisdom in scientific exploration.
13) Water:
Water serves as the solvent in the preparation of plant extracts, crucial for conducting pharmacological studies. Its role is fundamental in dissolving the active compounds from the plant materials, allowing researchers to evaluate the extracts' therapeutic effects, reinforcing the importance of methodological rigor in botanical research.