Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity of aleuritis moluccana leaves

Aleurites moluccana (euphorbiaceae) has been extensively used in folk medicine for the treatment of ulcers, headache, fevers, diarrhea and hypocholesterolemia. Sterols, flavonoids and triterpenes have been isolated from the leaves of the plant. The methanolic extract of dried leaves of aleurites moluccana (AMME) was investigated for anti-inflammatory (carragenan induced rat paw oedema) and anti-pyretic (brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia) activities. Pre-treatment with the extract (100 300 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly prevented increase in volume of paw oedema in dose dependent manner. A maximal effect was observed at 300 mg/kg which was comparable to diclofenac (20 mg/kg, orally). Ceiling effect at the dose of 300 mg/kg was observed. The anti-pyretic effect of AMME (measured as % reduction in body temperature) was compared with paracetamol (150 mg/kg, orally). AMME in dose of 300 mg/kg caused significant decrease in body temperature of rats. In conclusion, this study has established the anti-inflammatory activity and antipyretic activity of aleurites moluccana and thus, justifies the ethnic uses of the plant.