Anti-pyretic, Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Urtica Dioica (L.) in Albino Mice
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Date
2016
Authors
Safari, V.Z.
Ngugi, M.P.
Orinda, G.
Njagi, E.N.M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
OMICS International
Abstract
Urtica dioica has been used to manage several diseases including pain, inflammation and fever. However, its
efficacy has not been scientifically validated. The aim of this study therefore is to investigate the analgesic, antipyretic
and anti-inflammatory activities of its aqueous extracts. The plant extract was collected from Loita division, Narok
County in Kenya. A total of 96 albino mice with an average weight of 20 g were used for this study. Analgesic
activity was determined by use of formalin−induced writhing test. A writhe was recorded by a stopwatch following
the stretching of the abdomen and/or stretching of at least one hind limb. Anti-inflammatory activity was established
by a formalin induced inflammation test. Hourly changes in paw sizes and reduction of edema around the paw
was determined using a venier calipers. Antipyretic activity was carried out using Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia.
Temperature of each mouse was determined rectally by thermal probe thermometer. The aqueous leaf extracts of
Urtica dioica reduced pain, inflammation and fever mostly at dose 150 mg/kg body weight. Based on these findings
it was concluded that the present study has demonstrated the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic potential
of aqueous leaf extracts of Urtica dioica in albino mice and will serve as good bio-resource for generating readily
available herbal formulations that are more effective in the treatment of pain, inflammation and fever conditions which
are cheaper than the conventional synthetic drugs and have no side effects
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Urtica dioica, Pyrexia, Antinociceptive activity, Antiinflammatory activity
Citation
Safari VZ, Ngugi MP, Orinda G, Njagi EM (2016) Anti-pyretic, Antiinflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Urtica Dioica (L.) in Albino Mice. Med Aromat Plants 5: 237. doi:10.4172/2167-0412.1000237