Evaluation of antipyretic potential of Nelumbo nucifera stalk extract.

The ethanol extract of stalks of Nelumbo nucifera (NNSE) was evaluated for its antipyretic potential on normal body temperature and yeast induced pyrexia in rats. NNSE showed significant activity in both the models at oral doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. NNSE at a dose of 200 mg/kg was found to produce significant lowering of normal body temperature up to 3 h and at 400 mg/kg it caused significant lowering of body temperature up to 6 h after its administration. In the model of yeast provoked elevation of body temperature NNSE showed dose-dependent lowering of body temperature up to 4 h at both the doses and the results were comparable to that of paracetamol, a standard antipyretic agent. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.