Study of analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of the leaves of Thunbergia

In this study, the analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of the methanolic extract obtained from the leaves of Thunbergia coccinea Wall were investigated. Analgesic effect of MTC was evaluated by acetic acid –induced writhing, hot plate and tail flick method. Antipyretic activity of MTC was evaluated by yeast –induced hyperpyrexia in rats. The antiinflammatory activity was studied in carrageenan induced paw oedema. Acute toxicity in animal models at different doses was also evaluated. MTC has been found to be safe up to a dose of 2 g/kg when administered orally to mice. A significant analgesic effect has been observed in rats when tested by chemical as well as thermal methods using acetic acid induced hot plate method and tail flick test. In the case of its effect on pyresis, a significant reduced fever greater than 200mg/kg within 2h on yeast induced hyperthermia in rats was observed. The result showed that the writhes, tail flick, pyrexia and paw volume in experimental rats reduced significantly (p<0.05) as compared to that of control and hot plate test showed significant licking effects in rats. These results clearly indicate the methanolic extract of Thunbergia coccinea could be a potential source for using as analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent and provide the scientific basis for the folkloric use of the plant in treating inflammation, fever and pain.