Evaluation of Antipyretic and Antinociceptive Activities of Plumeria acuminata Leaves

The present study was designed to investigate the antipyretic and antinociceptive activity of methanol extract of Plumeria acuminata leaves (MEPA) (Apocynaceae) in several experimental models. A single oral administration of MEPA at different doses (100, 250 and 500 mg kg-1) showed significant reduction in brewer`s yeast induced hyperthermia in rats. MEPA also elicited pronounced inhibitory effect on acetic acid-induced writhing response, hot plate, tail flick and tail immersion responses in mice in the antinociceptive test. These findings suggest that the methanol extract of Plumeria acuminata possessed potent antipyretic and antinociceptive activity. Preliminary phytochemial screening of the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes and steroids which may be responsible for antipyretic and antinociceptive activities.