Investigations of Pet Ether Extract of Caesalpinia Pulcherrima (L.) Swartz Leaves Extract on Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, and Antipyretic Properties

The pet ether extract of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, leaves was studied for its antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic property. The extract at doses of 50 and 200 mg/kg, p.o., significantly (p<0.05) reduced the number of writhing induced by acetic acid and inhibited the late phase (20-30 min) in formalin test in mice. The extract failed to increase the pain threshold level in tail immersion test in mice. In carrageenan induced paw edema in rats and in acetic acid induced increase in vascular permeability test in mice, the extract (50-600 mg/kg, p.o.) failed to produce any significant activity. While in cotton pellet granuloma test, the extract at doses of 200 and 600 mg/kg (p.o.) significantly (p<0.05) reduced the granuloma formation and was comparable to reference drug, dexamethasone. In ethylpheylpropiolate ear edema test 0.5 mg and 1 mg/ear application of extract significantly (p<0.05) inhibited ear edema. In yeast induced hyperthermia in rats, the extract did not produce any reduction in temperature. The results suggest that the extract acts peripherally to produce analgesic action and anti-inflammatory activity through steroidal mechanism.