Abstract

EVALUATION OF LAXATIVE AND ANTIPYRETIC ACTIVITY OF VARIOUS ROOT EXTRACTS OF GMELINA ARBOREA ROXB.

*Sangram K Panda, Debajyoti Das and 3Niraj K Tripthathy

ABSTRACT

Gmelina arborea an important medicinal plant is one of the most widely cultivated species of the family (Verbenaceae).It is highly valued from time immemorial because of its vast medicinal properties.The present work deals with the investigation of laxative & antipyretic activity of various extracts of Gmelina arborea roots. Laxative effect & antipyretic activity was checked in using Wister strain albino rats . all the crude extracts such as ethanol, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and petroleum ether were tested for laxative(200&400 mg/kg) & antipyretic activity at(100 and 200mg/kg) body weight. Where as Agar-agar (300mg/kg, p.o.) and paracetamol (100 mg/kg) were used as standard drugs for laxative and antipyretic activities studies. The extract was found to produce significant laxative & antipyretic activity in dose dependant manner. The petroleum ether extract was found to possess the most effective laxative activity. Where as ethanol & petroleum ether extract in a dose of 200 mg/Kg body weight exhibited significant antipyretic activity after 90 minutes and 120 minutes as compared to standard paracetamol.

Keywords: Gmelina arborea; Acute toxicity study; antipyretic activity; Laxative activity.