Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic and Antipyretic activities of root of Wattakaka volubilis

Wattakaka volubilis (Family: Asclepiadaceae) has been reported to possess medicinal effects. In the present study, the dried root ethanol extract of W. volubilis designated as 'the extract' was evaluated for pharmacological activity in rats and mice. The anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities were evaluated in rodents. The analgesic activity was evaluated in mice models. In the acute toxicity study, it was found that the extract was non-toxic up to 1 g/kg, p. o. The extract (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, p. o.) was found to possess, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in a dose-dependent manner and the effect was comparable with that produced by the standard drug, ibuprofen. The extract significantly inhibited the arachidonic acid-induced paw oedema in rats, indicating that the extract inhibited both the cyclo-oxygenase and lipo-oxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism.