Evaluation of the Antipyretic Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Chromolaena odorata in Albino Rats

Abstract

This study evaluates the antipyretic activity of methanolic leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata in albino rats. Pyrexia, commonly known as fever, is the medical term for an elevated body temperature. It occurs when the body's temperature rises above the normal range, typically over 38°C (100.4°F), as a response to infection, inflammation, or other stimuli. The experimental setup included five groups of albino rats, with two control groups receiving either normal saline (negative control) or acetaminophen (positive control), and the test groups receiving 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the leaf extract. Fever (pyrexia) was induced using 0.01 mL/kg of Escherichia coli suspension injected into the rats, after which varying doses of the methanolic leaf extract were administered. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in rectal temperature in the rats treated with the extract, showing a dose-dependent response. The highest antipyretic activity was observed in the group administered 400 mg/kg, where the rectal temperature decreased by 2.5°C within two hours of treatment. This effect was comparable to, and in some cases, exceeded that of acetaminophen, suggesting that the methanolic extract of Chromolaena odorata possesses significant antipyretic properties. The observed antipyretic effect may be attributed to the bioactive constituents of the plant, including flavonoids, terpenoids, and anthraquinones. Further research is recommended to isolate and characterize the active compounds responsible for the observed pharmacological activity.