Estimation the Anti-inflammatory and Antipyretic Activity of Beta vulgaris L Plant Extract In-vivo
Sowah, E.A. *
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Ojeka, S.O.
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Dapper, D.V.
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic effects of hydro-methanolic extract of Beta vulgaris L (HMEBV) on male Wistar rats following egg albumin induced acute inflammation and brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia.
Materials and Methods: The anti-inflammatory study involved 30 rats equally divided into 6 groups, where group 1 served as normal control; group 2 served as negative control (untreated rats); group 3 received Aspirin 100 mg/kg, while groups 4, 5 and 6 received HMEBV at 150, 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively. 0.1 ml egg albumin was subcutaneously injected into the right hind paw of the rats for groups 2 to 6, and paw diameter measured hourly for 5 hours. The rats were euthanized and blood samples collected through cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis. The antipyretic study involved 25 rats evenly distributed into 5 groups; Group I (negative control), Group II received 100mg/kg aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), while Groups III, IV and V received HMEBV at 150, 250 and 500mg/kg respectively by oral gavage. Rectal temperature was measured 3 hours pre-treatment and 3 hours post-treatment.
Results: The results showed that inflammation was successfully induced in groups 2 to 6 in comparison with the control group as the rat paw diameter was significantly (p<0.05) increased after 1 hour post induction. It was also observed that from 4th post treatment, a progressive significant (p<0.05) decrease in rat paw diameter was observed in groups 3, 4, 5 and group 6 when compared to group 2. Furthermore, rectal temperature was progressively elevated following the administration of brewer’s yeast hourly. Post-treatment, it was observed that there was a dose dependent hourly retrogression of the rectal temperature, with a significant difference (p<0.05) when compared with the control.
Conclusion: Conclusively, the present research reports that Hydro-methanolic extract of Beta vulgaris L possess both anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic potentials in experimental animal models.
Keywords: Beta vulgaris L, beetroot, inflammation, cytokines, fever