In-vivo Screening of Bougainvillea glabra Leaves for its Analgesic, Antipyretic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Previous phytochemical analysis of methanolic extract of Bougainvillea glabra leaves (MEBG) has indicated the presence of steroids, flavonoids, glycosides and terpenoid types of compounds. Since these compounds are of pharmacological interest, coupled with the use of this plant in traditional medicine, prompted us to check Bougainvillea glabra leaves for possible analgesic anti inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities. The analgesic activity of MEBG was studied using tail immersion method in mice. While the efficacy of the MEBG (150 and 300mg/kg.p.o) was compared with pentazocaine 30 mg/kg. MEBG recorded 79.88 % inhibition with the highest dose and 81.21% with pentazocaine. The antipyretic activity of MEBG was studied in Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. MEBG showed more significant activity. MEBG were also subjected to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced rat paw edema. Indomethacin (100mg/kg) was taken as standard drug. MEBG produced dose-dependent of oedema, which was comparable to Indomethacin and found to be 48.32% and 42.32 % inhibition in carrageenan induced rat paw edema model. Findings from the present study showed MEBG to possess central and peripheral analgesic activity, anti-inflammatory property similar to steroidal and non-steroidal agents as well as antipyretic effect.