British Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 3(2): 54-57, 2012
ISSN: 2044-2467
© Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2012
Submitted: December 20, 2011
Accepted: Jaurauy 26, 2012
Published: April 25, 2012
Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic and Antipyretic Effect of
Mangifera indica Leaf Extract on Fever-Induced Albino Rats (Wistar)
1
O.J. Olorunfemi, 1D.C. Nworah, 2J.N. Egwurugwu and 1V.O. Hart
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health
Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
2
Depart of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences,
Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria
1
Abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects of
Mangifera indica leaf extract. The effects of the leaf extract on anti-inflammatory response using fresh egg
albumin-induced paw edema model, analgesic activity of the extract using hot plate model to induce pain and
anti-pyretic activity using Baker’s yeast fever induction model were examined. The research work was carried
out using rats weighing between 150-210 g. These rats were divided into five (5) groups of 5 animals each;
Group 1 served as the control group. Other groups were administered at a dosage of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg,
respectively. The extract (at the dose various dosages and in a time dependent manner) significantly (p<0.05)
decreased the paw oedema induced by fresh egg-albumin in rats. This result supports the use of Mangifera
indica leaf extract for the management of inflammatory disorders. Phytochemical analysis of the extract
composition demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, reducing sugars, flavonoids, glycosides,
saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids and tannins.
Key words: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, edema, fever, Mangifera indica leave
INTRODUCTION
2002), anti bacterial (Bairy et al., 2002) anti-helminthic,
antiallergic (Garcia et al., 2003a, b) and Spasmolytic
application (Sairam et al., 2003). Due to huge dependence
on this herb in the amelioration of various ailments such
as fever and pain predominantly in Africa, scientific
evaluation of the claims to ascertain its potent curative
properties in inflammation, pyrexia and pain formed the
core objectives of this study.
Mangifera indica L. (Aracardiaceae) is one of the
most important topical plants marketed in the world
(Ross, 1999) it is a large tree that grows in tropical and
subtropical region whose fruits are widely appreciated by
the population there are many traditional, medicinal uses
for the leaves, bark, roots of mangifera Indica throughout
the globe (Ross, 1999). This plant was listed in TRAMIL
program of applied research of popular medicine in
caribbean) as an agent for the treatment of diarrhea, fever,
gastritis and ulcers (Robineau and Soejarto, 1996).
Phytochemical research from different parts of
mangifera Indica has demonstrated the presence of
phenolic constituents, tritepenes, flavonoids, Phytosterols
and polypenols. The leaves of mangifera Indica yields an
essential oil containing humulene, elemene, ocimene,
linalool, nerol and many others (Anjaneyulu et al., 1994).
This species is purported to possess numerous therapeutic
uses including antiamoebic (Tona et al., 2000), antiinflammatory, analgesic (Garrido et al., 2001), antidiabetic, anti-hyperglycemic (Aderibigbe et al., 2001,
1999), inmunostimulant (Makare et al., 2001),
antidiaorrhea dylipidemic (Anila and Vijayalakshmi,
Plant: Mangifera indica leaves were collected from Elele
in Rivers State and identified by Mr. A.O. Ozioko of the
Department of Botany, university of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Plant extraction: The fresh leaves of Mangifera indica
were air dried under atmospheric pressure (25+15ºC) for
two weeks and grinded using a crestow milling machine.
The extract was subjected to cold maceration. This extract
was prepared according to standard methods. The solution
was then filtered using fitter paper.
Animal preparation: All animals were obtained from the
animal house, faculty of Biological science, University of
Nigeria Nsukka. Albino wistar rats weighing 150-215 g
the animal were housed in wooden cages for at least two
Corresponding Author: O.J. Olorunfemi, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health
Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria, Tel.: +2348035760596
54
Br. J. Pharmacol. Toxicol., 3(2): 54-57, 2012
weeks in the animal room of the physiology department,
Madonna University prior to investigation. They were
kept in the animal house, department of physiology,
Madonna University, Elele campus and allowed to
acclimatize for 4 weeks.
The rats were fed daily with food and water ad
libitum was supplied throughout the period of
acclimatization. Their cages were kept clean.
The acute toxicity test which is the lethal dose for the
extract, according to the method of (Lorke, 1983) has
been previously found to be 365 mg/kg on rats (Loomis
and Hayes, 1996).
Phytochemical screening: The phytochemical analysis
of the Mangifera indica leaf extract has been reported to
contain alkaloids, saponins, anthroquinones, steroids,
tannins, flavonoids, reducing sugars and cardiac
glycosides (Doughari and Mamzara, 2008).
Group of animals for the experiment: Twenty (25) rats
divided into Five (5) groups of five (5) rats per group
were used in the study. Group 1 served as the control
group and they was given distilled water. Group 2 was
given the leaf extract. Group 3 was given Aspirin. Group
4 was given the extract these 5 groups were kept in
separate cages and fed with same quantity of grower’s
mash.
METHODOLOGY AND PROCEDURE
The research study was carried out in the animal
research laboratory of the department of human
Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Madonna
University, Elele town, near Port Harcourt, Rivers State,
Nigeria, in August, 2010.
Weight assessment: The weight of each rat was
monitored daily as an index of the physical status of the
animals. At the end of the test, the animals were sacrificed
by administering overdose of thiopental.
Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was performed
using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS
Version15.0). the results were analyzed using the OneWay Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with a statistically
significant difference at p<0.05. Turkey’s Multiple
Comparison was used to test for statistically significant
differences between control and experimental groups. The
results are presented as mean+Standard Error of Mean.
Anti-inflammatory activity: Acute inflammation was
produced by injecting a fresh egg albumin into the plantar
surface of rat hind paw according to a modified method of
Winter et al. (1962). The leaf extract (100, 200 and 400
mg/kg, respectively) was administered 30 min before the
fresh egg albumin injection. The paw volume was
measured at 30, 60 and 90 min, respectively using the
Archimedes principle and the difference in paw volume at
0 h were taken as a measure of oedema.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Analgesic activity: In determining the analgesic activity
of the extract the writhing test was carried out according
to the modified method of Yaksh et al. (1976). The hot
plate was made red hot; the animals were given the
extract 30 min before each animal was placed into the hot
plate and the first writhing was observed from the period
of placing the animal on the hot plate to the time of
writhing. This method was repeated for every 30 min for
3 consecutive times.
All doses used in this study were adjudged to be
within the safety range (365 mg/kg). The Table 1, 2 and
3 showed the results for the anti-inflammatory, analgesic
and antipyretic effects of Mangifera indica leaf extract.
The observation in Table 1 showed that the plant
extract (at 400 mg/kg b.w) caused a significant (p<0.05)
suppression of nociceptive response. The extract is a
better option than Aspirin in this effect. In the present
study the leaf extract of Mangifera indica exerted its
analgesic activity by inhibition of some inflammatory
response as analgesic could be due to inhibition of
sensory receptor stimulation or due to anti inflammatory
action (Dubuisson and Dennis, 1977).
In Table 2, the extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg
produced an inhibition in the paw edema as well as the
extract at 200 mg/kg. Like the standard anti-inflammatory
drug Aspirin the inhibition was at the later phase (2 h) of
paw volume increase. The paw edema model is a standard
method used for evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity
of anti-inflammatory agents including several mediators
of inflammation such as prostaglandins, serotonin,
histamine and bradykinin (Vinegar et al., 1987; Winter
et al., 1962; Dananukar et al., 2000).
Antipyretic activity: The antipyretic activity of the leaf
extract of Mangifera indica in rats which were made
hyperpyretic by injecting suspension of baker’s yeast was
investigated by a combination of methods described by
Chatterjee et al. (1983) and kesersky et al. (1973) pyrexia
was induced in albino rats each, by subcutaneous injection
of 50% dried baker’s yeast suspension. Initial rectal
temperature was recorded. After 18 h animal that showed
a slight increase in rectal temperature were selected. The
extract was administered to the rats (100, 200 and 400
mg/kg, respectively). The rectal temperature was
measured by Ellab themostat at intervals of 30 min for 3
consecutive times after the extract administration.
55
Br. J. Pharmacol. Toxicol., 3(2): 54-57, 2012
Table 1: Effect of Mangifera indica leaf extract on analgesic response induced by hot plate
Reaction time (sec)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Groups
Dosage
30 min
60 min
90 min
Control
2.25±0.25
4.50±0.50
3.75±0.25
Group 2
100 mg/kg
4.50±0.28*
8.25±0.25*
8.50±0.25*
Group 3
200 mg/kg
5.50±0.28*
8.25±0.25*
10.25±0.25*
Group 4
Aspirin
4.00±0.41*
6.75±0.75*
8.00±0.82*
Group 5
400 mg/kg
5.00±0.00*
11.75±0.63*
13.75±0.75*
Each value represents mean±SEM; *: p<0.05 compared with the control group
Table 2: Effect of Mangifera indica leaf extract on egg albumin-induced paw rat paw oedema
Reaction time (sec)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Groups
Dosage
30 min
60 min
90 min
120 min
Control
2.00±0.20
1.75±0.14
1.88±0.24
1.25±0.30
Group 2
100 mg/kg
1.63±0.13
1.25±0.14*
1.13±0.13*
1.00±0.14*
Group 3
200 mg/kg
1.75±0.25
1.38±0.24
1.00±0.13*
1.00±0.00*
Group 4
Aspirin
2.00±0.20
1.63±0.13
1.38±0.13*
1.00±0.20*
Group 5
400 mg/kg
2.13±0.13
1.63±0.13
1.13±0.13*
1.00±0.00*
Each value represents mean±SEM; *: p<0.05 compared with the control group
Table 3: Effect of Mangifera indica leaf extract on baker’s yeast-induced pyrexia in rats
Rectal temp (oC)
-------------------------------------------------------Groups
Trtmnt and dose
Temp. before induction
18 h after induction
Control
37.10±0.233
8.20±0.25
Group 2
100 mg/kg
37.60±0.07*
38.30±0.16*
Group 3
200 mg/kg
36.75±0.30*
38.70±0.08*
Group 4
Aspirin
37.03±0.28
39.20±0.34*
Group 5
400 mg/kg
37.28±0.26
39.50±0.26*
Each value represents mean±SEM; *: p<0.05 compared with the control group
Rectal temperature after drug administration (oC)
----------------------------------------------------------------18½ h
19 h
19½ h
37.98±0.23
37.83±0.18
37.45±0.09
37.53±0.34
37.23±0.33*
37.08±0.28
37.80±0.04
37.53±0.09
37.30±0.15
38.15±0.22
37.45±0.15
37.28±0.11
38.05±0.10
37.60±0.11
37.35±0.09
Aderibigbe, A.O., T.S. Emudianughe and B.A. Lawal,
2001. Evaluation of the antidiabetic action of
Mangifera indica in mice. Research, 15: 456-458.
Anila, L. and N.R. Vijayalakshmi, 2002. Flavonoids from
Emblica officinalis and Mangifera indica
effectiveness for dyslipidemia. J. Ethnopharmacol.,
79: 81-87.
Anjaneyulu, V., I.S. Babu and J.D. Connollu, 1994.
29-hydroxymangiferonic acid from Mangifera indica.
Phytochemistry, 35: 1301-1303.
Bairy, I.S. Reeja, R.P.S. Siddharth, M. Bhat and
P.G. Shivananda, 2002. Evaluation of antibacterial
activity of Mangifera indica on anaerobic dental
microflora based on in vivo studies. Indian J. Pathol.
Microbiol., 45: 307-310.
Chatterjee, G.K, T.K. Bunan, A. Nagchandhum and
S.P. Pal, 1983. Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic
activities of Morus indica. Planta Med., 48(2):
116-119.
Dananukar, S.A., R.A. Kulkarni and N.N. Rege, 2000.
Pharmacology of medicinal plants and natural
products. Indian J. Pharmacol., 32: 81-118.
Doughari, J.H. and S. Mamzara, 2008. In vitro
antimicrobial activities of crude leaf extract of
Mangifera Indica Linn. Afri. J. Micobiol. Res., 2:
067-072.
Dubuisson, D. and S.G. Dennis, 1977. The formalin test.
A quantitative study of the analgesic effect of
morphine, meperidine and brain stem stimulation in
rats and cats. Brain, 4: 161-174.
In Table 3, the evaluation of the antipyretic effect of
Mangifera indica leaf extract (at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg,
respectively), profoundly revealed that the extract (at 100
mg/kg) decreased the temperature elevation (not dose
dependent) induced experimentally with yeast. The yeastinduced fever is a well-established model for assessing
antipyretic effect and it has been used in a number of
studies (Kesersky et al., 1973; Chatterjee et al., 1983;
Lakshman et al., 2006). The effect the antipyretic agent
had was the lowering of raised body temperature.
Generally antipyretic activity is exerted by inhibition of
prostaglandin synthesis via cyclo-oxygenase activity
(Vane, 1987). The present study showed that the leaf
extract of Mangifera indica has a fairly good antipyretic
effect.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion the leaf extract of Mangifera indica
exerted anti-inflammatory, analgesic and partially
antipyretic activities. This finding showed justification for
the use of the plant extract in the management of antiinflammatory and nociceptive conditions.
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