Title: Antinociceptive, Anti-Inflammatory and Antipyretic Properties of the Aqueous Extract of <i>Bauhinia purpurea </i>Leaves in Experimental Animals
Abstract: <i>Objective:</i> The present study was carried out to determine the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the aqueous extract of <i>Bauhinia purpurea</i> leaves using animal models. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> The air-dried, powdered leaves (≈20 g) were soaked in distilled water (1:20; w/v) at room temperature for 72 h and the supernatant obtained was freeze-dried. The crude dried extract (≈2.4 g) was prepared in doses of 6.0, 30.0 and 60.0 mg/kg, and subjected to the respective antinociceptive (abdominal constriction, hot plate and formalin tests), anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema test) and antipyretic (brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia test) assays. <i>Results:</i>The results obtained indicate that the extract possessed significant (p < 0.05) antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities, which were not dependent on the doses of extract used. The highest concentration of extract was less effective as an anti-inflammatory and an antipyretic agent. <i>Conclusion:</i> This study showed that the aqueous extract of <i>B. purpurea </i>leaves possesses potential pharmacological activities that require further investigation and, thus, confirms the folklore use of the plant in the treatment of ailments associated with pain and inflammation.