Eugenol: antipyretic activity in rabbits.

The analgesic agent eugenol reduced fever when given intravenously in small doses to rabbits made febrile by interleukin 1. To test this observation further, the drug was given intragastrically and its antipyretic effect was compared with that of a molar equivalent dose of acetaminophen. Eugenol was more effective in reducing fever than acetaminophen. Tests with intracerebroventricular injections indicated that eugenol could act centrally to reduce fever in doses much smaller than those which were effective peripherally. Other tests with the presumed fever mediators sodium archidonate and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), suggest that the central action of eugenol is similar to that of acetaminophen. Eugenol, a derivative of clove oil, has marked antipyretic activity when given intravenously, intragastrically and centrally and may reduce fever primarily through a central action that is similar to that of common antipyretic drugs such as acetaminophen.