Antipyretic and Antinociceptive Effect of the Methanol Leaf Extract of Ficus asperifolia in Murine Models

Authors

  • Ibrahim Doma Department of Pharmacology BUK
  • Sani Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Nigeria.
  • Yaro Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54117/jcbr.v4i1.2

Keywords:

Antipyretics, Aspirin, Pain, Brewer’s yeast, Ficus asperifolia, Temperature

Abstract

Pyrexia occurs as a result of the resetting of the hypothalamic set-point. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used for the treatment of fever and related illnesses are associated with side effects including gastrointestinal irritation, bleeding, ulcers and perforation. In traditional medicine, many plants have been found to possess antipyretic activity. Ficus asperifolia (Miq), family Moraceae has been traditionally used to treat pain and fevers. The aim of the study was thus to evaluate the antipyretic and antinociceptive activity of the methanol leaf extract of Ficus asperifolia (FME) in murine models. Preliminary phytochemical screening and oral acute toxicity studies were conducted using standard protocols. Antipyretic activity was evaluated using the Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia model. Antinociceptive effects were investigated using the acetic acid and thermal induced models. The mechanism of action of the plant was also evaluated against several antagonists. FME significantly (p<0.05) and dose dependently reduced yeast induced pyrexia. FME at doses 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) decreased acetic acid induced abdominal writhes and increased the mean reaction time of mice to thermal-induced pain stimulus. Pre-treatment of mice with naloxone (a non-selective opioid receptor antagonist), glibenclamide (a potassium channel blocker) and L-NNA (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) significantly reversed the analgesic action of the extract suggesting that the activity is likely mediated via the involvement of these pathways.

Author Biographies

Sani, Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Nigeria.

Dean College of Health Sciences, Yusuf     Maitama Sule University, Kano, Nigeria.

Yaro, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.

Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.

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Published

2024-02-29

How to Cite

Doma, I., Haruna, I., & Hamza, A. (2024). Antipyretic and Antinociceptive Effect of the Methanol Leaf Extract of Ficus asperifolia in Murine Models. Journal of Current Biomedical Research, 4(1, January-February), 1436–1453. https://doi.org/10.54117/jcbr.v4i1.2