Medicinal & Aromatic Plants
Open Access

Abstract

Antipyretic, Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Aloe volkensii in Albino Mice

Safari VZ, Kamau JK, Nthiga PM, Ngugi MP, Orinda G and Njagi EM

Aloe volkensii has been used to manage several diseases including pain, inflammation and fever. However, its efficacy has not been scientifically validated. The aim of this study therefore is to investigate the analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of its aqueous extracts. The plant was collected from Loita division, Narok County in Kenya. A total of 96 albino mice with an average weight of 20 g were used for this study. Analgesic activity was determined by use of 0.05 ml of 2.5% formalin−induced writhing test. A writhe was recorded by a stopwatch following the stretching of the abdomen and/or stretching of at least one hind limb. Anti-inflammatory activity was established by a formalin induced inflammation test. Hourly changes in paw sizes and reduction of edema around the paw was determined using a vernier calipers. Antipyretic activity was carried out using 0.03 g of 10 ml/kg of 15% w/v Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia. Temperature of each mouse was determined rectally by thermal probe thermometer. The aqueous leaf extracts of Aloe volkensii reduced pain, inflammation and fever mostly at dose 150 mg/kg body weight compared to dose of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight. The results support the traditional use of A. volkensii in the treatment of various diseases associated with pain, fever and inflammation.