PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIPYRETIC ACTIVITY OF DESMODIUM PULCHELLUM
Description
The present study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical constituents and antipyretic activity of Desmodium pulchellum. The whole plant was extracted successively using petroleum ether and methanol, and the percentage yield of each extract was determined. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract revealed the presence of glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and diterpenes. Quantitative estimation showed appreciable amounts of total flavonoids and total phenolic content, indicating the presence of bioactive constituents with potential pharmacological activity.
The antipyretic activity of the methanolic extract was evaluated using the yeast-induced pyrexia model in albino Wistar rats. Rectal temperature and body weight were recorded prior to treatment to ensure uniformity among experimental groups. Following yeast injection, treatment with the methanolic extract at doses of 250 and 350 mg/kg body weight produced a dose-dependent reduction in rectal temperature when compared to the control group. The standard drug paracetamol showed a more pronounced antipyretic effect. The observed activity of the methanolic extract may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which are known to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. The findings of this study support the traditional use of Desmodium pulchellum in the management of fever and suggest its potential as a natural antipyretic agent.