Antipyretic activity of Piper nigrum in Wistar albino ... - PharmSciDirect

Available online atwww.pharmscidirect.comInt J Pharm Biomed Res 2013, 4(3), 167-169Research articleInternational Journalof PHARMACEUTICALAND BIOMEDICALRESEARCHISSN No: 0976-0350Antipyretic activity of Piper nigrum in Wistar albino ratsA.Nagateja Pavani 1 *, S.C.Somashekara 2 , N.Jagannath 1 , D.Govindadas 1 , P.Shravani 11 Department of Pharmacology, S.V.S. Medical College, Mahabubnagar-509 002, Andhrapradesh, India2 Department of Pharmacology, Malabar Medical College and Research Centre, Modakkallur, Atholi, Kozhikode-673 315, Kerala, IndiaReceived: 04 Jul 2013 / Revised: 22 Jul 2013 / Accepted: 25 Jul 2013 / Online publication: 03 Aug 2013ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study was to investigate the antipyretic activity of alcoholic extract of Piper nigrum in Wistaralbino rats. Pyrexia was induced in rats by injecting 15%w/v Brewer’s yeast suspension. The animals were divided in to5 groups, 6 of each. The experimental protocol was: Group I received distilled water (control); Group II received standardparacetamol 150mg/kg; Group III, IV & V received alcoholic extract of Piper nigrum at doses 100, 250 & 500mg/kgrespectively. In all experiments, rats were orally administered. The temperature of all the rats in each group was measured atthe start of study, at 18h after yeast injection and every hourly for 4h thereafter. The mean temperature was found out foreach group and was compared with the control group and standard drug group. Piper nigrum at doses 250 & 500mg/kgsignificantly reduced the body temperature on yeast induced pyrexia and was comparable with standard.Key words: Black pepper, Brewer’s yeast, Paracetamol, Piperaceae, Pyrexia1. INTRODUCTIONPiper nigrum L. belongs to the family of Piperaceae. It iscommonly known as spices of king. The genus piper (L)contains more than 700 species. They grow in tropical andsubtropical rain forest. Piper nigrum is a perennial wood vinewith areal roots at the stem nodes, with shiny leaves and abroad climbing plant cultivated in the tropical and subtropicalregions of India. Black pepper of commerce is the driedmature fruits of the plant [1]. It is one of the most commonlyused spices in most part of the world. It is used as appetizer,as a condiment to improve the flavor of foods, preservationof meals and as an ingredient of pepper soup [2].Phytochemical studies on the fruits reveal the presence ofvarious compounds, viz., phenolics, lignans, terpenes,chalcones, flavonoids, alkaloids and steroids [3]. Thebiological activities of Piper nigrum includes, analgesic, antiinflammatory,anti-diarrhoeal, antispasmodic, antibacterial,antioxidative, antiasthamatic, antitumor andimmunomodulatory activities [4-7].*Corresponding Author. Tel: +91 8106071603Email: pavani.jps@gmail.comFax:The plant is used in many Asian countries for thetreatment of colic, rheumatism, headache, diarrhea,dysentery, cholera, menstrual pains, as a flatulent and toincrease the flow of urine [8]. Piper nigrum L. is a centuryold medicament used as a home remedy to reduce fever. Asits analgesic and anti-inflammatory action is documented[9,10], it will be a cost effective alternative approach to studythis plant for the development of an effective antipyreticagent.2. MATERIALS AND METHODS2.1. AnimalsHealthy Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing between220g and 270g were used for the study. The animals wereacclimatized for 7 days before experiments commenced. Theanimals were housed in polypropylene cages and maintainedunder standard laboratory conditions. They were fed withstandard pellet diet and water ad libitum. The experimentalprotocols were approved by the Institutional Animal EthicsCommittee (Reg. No. 3/22/09/CPCSEA).©2013 PharmSciDirect Publications. All rights reserved.

A.Nagateja Pavani et al., Int J Pharm Biomed Res 2013, 4(3), 167-169 167Table 1Effect of alcoholic extract of Piper nigrum (AEPN) on Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia in ratsTreatment Dose (mg/kg) Normal Temp (F) Rectal temp (F) after yeast Rectal temperature (F) after treatment with AEPNinduced pyrexia1h 2h 3h 4hControl - 98.58±0.37 99.61±0.44 99.86±0.34 100.10±0.28 100.62±0.72 100.82±0.17Paracetamol 150 98.46±0.42 99.54±0.46 99.30±0.86 98.76±0.32* 98.12±0.37** 97.60±0.14**AEPN 100 98.65±0.47 99.60±0.60 99.52±0.41 99.24±0.38 99.16±0.61 98.86±0.27*AEPN 250 98.68±0.62 99.72±0.48 99.58±0.34 99.06±0.68 98.61±0.10* 98.31±0.57*AEPN 500 98.58±0.48 99.91±0.37 99.42±0.63 98.81±0.17* 98.26±0.71** 97.75±0.20**Each value represents mean ± SEM, n=6, * P