Original Paper

Antinociceptive, Anti-Inflammatory and Antipyretic Properties of the Aqueous Extract of Bauhinia purpurea Leaves in Experimental Animals
Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria^a, Loo Yi Wen^a, Nurul Izzah Abdul Rahman^a, Abdul Halim Abdul Ayub^a, Mohd. Roslan Sulaiman^b, Hanan Kumar Gopalan<sup>a

a</sup>Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam,
^bDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

Address of Corresponding Author

Med Princ Pract 2007;16:443-449 (DOI: 10.1159/000107749)

  Key Words

• Bauhinia purpurea
• Aqueous extract
• Antinociceptive
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antipyretic

  Abstract

Objective: The present study was carried out to determine the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the aqueous extract of Bauhinia purpurea leaves using animal models. Materials and Methods: The air-dried, powdered leaves (≈20 g) were soaked in distilled water (1:20; w/v) at room temperature for 72 h and the supernatant obtained was freeze-dried. The crude dried extract (≈2.4 g) was prepared in doses of 6.0, 30.0 and 60.0 mg/kg, and subjected to the respective antinociceptive (abdominal constriction, hot plate and formalin tests), anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema test) and antipyretic (brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia test) assays. Results:The results obtained indicate that the extract possessed significant (p < 0.05) antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities, which were not dependent on the doses of extract used. The highest concentration of extract was less effective as an anti-inflammatory and an antipyretic agent. Conclusion: This study showed that the aqueous extract of B. purpurea leaves possesses potential pharmacological activities that require further investigation and, thus, confirms the folklore use of the plant in the treatment of ailments associated with pain and inflammation.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

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  Author Contacts

Dr. Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria
Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi Mara
40450 Shah Alam, Selangor (Malaysia)
Tel. +60 3 5544 2738, Fax +60 3 5544 2725
E-Mail shaza8174@yahoo.com

  Article Information

Received: November 8, 2006
Accepted after revision: March 13, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 5, Number of References : 38

  Publication Details

Medical Principles and Practice (International Journal of the Kuwait University Health Sciences Centre)

Vol. 16, No. 6, Year 2007 (Cover Date: October 2007)

Journal Editor: Owunwanne, A. (Kuwait)
ISSN: 1011–7571 (print), 1423–0151 (Online)

For additional information: http://www.karger.com/MPP

  Drug Dosage / Copyright

Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in goverment regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug. Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher or, in the case of photocopying, direct payment of a specified fee to the Copyright Clearance Center.