Evaluation of Antipyretic Activity of Pedalium murex Against Brewer’s Yeast-Induced Pyrexia in Rats

The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Pedalium murex (Pedaliaceae) was investigated for antipyretic activity in rats using Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia models. Brewer’s yeast (15%) was used to induce pyrexia in rats. Both the extract (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight p.o produced a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent inhibition of temperature elevation compared with the standard drug Paracetamol (150 mg/kg body weight). At doses of 200 mg/kg b.w, the aqueous extract significantly (P<0.001) decreased yeast induced pyrexia in rats. These results indicate that leaf extracts of Pedalium murex possesses potent antipyretic effects and thus pharmacologically justifying its folkloric use in the management of fever.