EVALUATION OF IN VIVO ANTIPYRETIC ACTIVITY OF A POLYHERBAL AQUEOUS DECOCTION USING YEAST-INDUCED PYREXIA MODEL IN WISTAR RATS

Fever, also known as pyrexia, is an important physiological response caused by infection and inflammation and is mediated through prostaglandin synthesis occurring in the hypothalamus. Although synthetic antipyretics (i.e., paracetamol) provide effective short-term relief, their long-term use can have adverse effects. The present study was undertaken to assess the antipyretic potential of a polyherbal aqueous decoction made from the following plants: Elettaria cardamomum, Mentha, and Phyllanthus amarus, using the Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia model of Wistar rats. The polyherbal extract was prepared according to the decoction method and administered orally at two different doses (i.e., 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg). The antipyretic activity of the polyherbal extract was compared to paracetamol (150 mg/kg), which served as the standard drug. Rectal body temperatures were determined immediately before receiving treatment (time zero); thereafter, temperatures were recorded at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours post-treatment. Data were evaluated statistically using one-way ANOVA. The results revealed that there was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) and dose-dependent decrease in rectal temperature of the treated animals when compared to the control group. In addition, there was a degree of antipyretic activity comparable to that of paracetamol with the higher dose of the polyherbal extract. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the polyherbal decoction has significant antipyretic activity and may represent a safer alternative to synthetic drugs.