Antiinflammatory, lack of central analgesia and antipyretic properties of Acanthus montanus (Ness) T. Anderson.

Aqueous leaves extract of Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) were tested for antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties. This was done using standard methodologies following oral administration of the extract. The results showed that the extract significantly reduced the oedema induced by carrageenan within 30 min with 200 mg/kg being the most potent. On the analgesia front, acetic acid writhing test was significant. The extract reduced only the number of paw licks of phase 2 and not phase 1 of formalin test. The results on hotplate and tail immersion tests excluded central acting analgesic properties of the extract. In overall, the analgesic tests conducted revealed that the extract had only peripheral analgesic properties. Its effect on pyresis was also observed to be appreciable. It significantly reduced fever at doses greater than 100 mg/kg within 6 h.