Abstract

Objective: To evaluate anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of latex and leaves methanol extract of Euphorbia helioscopia against chemical (acetic acid induced writhing and formalin tests) and thermal pain stimuli (hot plate test), carrageenan induced paw edema and brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia in mice respectively. Methods: Pain, inflammation and pyrexia were induced in mice. Leaves methanol extract and latex were administered to mice, orally at doses, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. Results: Leaves methanol extract at all used doses had 100% pain protection against peripherally induced pain pathway (investigated by acetic acid induced writhing test and late phase of formalin test). While central anti-nociceptive effect (measured by hot plate test and early phase of formalin test) was found dose dependent with extract and latex. Similarly a dose dependent trend was observed in anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic effects and leaves methanol extract showed maximal anti-inflammatory (81.25%) and anti-pyretic (45.36%) effects at 300 mg/kg dose. Conclusions: From the data obtained, it can be concluded that Euphorbia helioscopia possesses marked anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities that can be attributed to the inhibition of synthesis of prostaglandins and other mediators responsible for pain, inflammation and pyrexia.

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