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Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of Muntingia calabura aqueous extract in animal models

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Abstract

The present study was carried out to elucidate the potential of aqueous extract of Muntingia calabura leaves aqueous extract (MCAE) as antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agents using the formalin-, carrageenan-induced paw edema- and brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia tests in rats. The extract was prepared by soaking the dried powdered leaves of M. calabura in distilled water (dH2O) overnight. The supernatant obtained, considered as a stock solution (100% concentration/strength), was then diluted to concentrations of 10% and 50% and used together in all experimental models. The MCAE, at concentrations of 10%, 50% and 100%, were found to show significant antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities in all tests. However, all of the activities occurred in a concentration-independent manner. The 50% and 100% concentrations of MCAE produced insignificant antinociceptive and antipyretic activities, respectively. Although the 100% concentration of MCAE produced significant (P<0.05) anti-inflammatory activity, the activity was lower than that of the 10% and 50% concentrations of MCAE. Based on the results, we conclude that the M. calabura leaves possessed antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities and, thus, justifies the Peruvian folklore claims of its medicinal values.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a research grant of the Universiti Industri Selangor, Malaysia (project code number: 03013; project vote number: 3090103013). The authors would like to thank the Universiti Putra Malaysia for the use of their facilities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    Z. A. Zakaria

  2. Faculty of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Universiti Industri Selangor, Jalan Zirkon A7/A, Seksyen 7, 40000, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

    N. A. Mohd Nor Hazalin, S. N. H. Mohd Zaid, M. Abdul Ghani, M. H. Hassan & H. K. Gopalan

  3. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    M. R. Sulaiman

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  1. Z. A. Zakaria
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  2. N. A. Mohd Nor Hazalin
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  3. S. N. H. Mohd Zaid
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  4. M. Abdul Ghani
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  7. M. R. Sulaiman
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Correspondence to Z. A. Zakaria.

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Zakaria, Z.A., Nor Hazalin, N.A.M., Zaid, S.N.H.M. et al. Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of Muntingia calabura aqueous extract in animal models. J Nat Med 61, 443–448 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-007-0167-2

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