Abstract

TOXICITY AND ANTIPYRETIC EFFECTS OF ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANT HYDROCOTYLE JAVANICA THUNB. (APIACEAE)

Krithika N.* and Arumugasamy K.

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to assess the toxicity and evaluate the antipyretic effects of the ethnomedicinal plant Hydrocotyle javanica Thunb. (Apiaceae). The phytochemical screening, toxicity and antipyretic activities of Hydrocotyle javanica whole plant methanol extract on Wistar albino rats were studied. Behavioral, hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated to assess the toxic level. Brewer’s yeast were used to induce pyrexia in the experimental rats. There was no mortality up to a dose of 1600 mg/kg b.wt. There were no significant changes in the hematological and biochemical parameters at dosage of 1600 mg/kg b.wt. of plant extract, but behavioral changes were observed. Rectal temperatures were recorded after 18 hrs of Brewer’s Yeast induced pyrexia against the standard reference drug Paracetamol. There was a significant reduction in rectal temperature of the rats over a period of time from 1 hr to 6 hr in a dose dependent manner. The rectal temperatures elevated to 39.38±0.16˚C after 24 hr of subcutaneous injection of yeast suspension which was brought down to 35.84±0.24˚C after 6 hrs of treatment by the plant extract at a dosage of 150 mg/kg. H. javanica caused some behavioural changes at 1600 mg/kg b.wt. that were probably sedative effects but non-toxic and safe upto 800 mg/kg b.wt. doses. It evinced a significant antipyretic effect in yeast-provoked elevation of body temperature in experimental rats, and its effect is comparable to that of standard drug Paracetamol.

Keywords: Hydrocotyle javanica, toxicity, sedative, antipyrexia, Brewer’s yeast, Paracetamol.