ANTINOCICEPTIVE, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIPYRETIC EFFECTS OF CROTON CAUDATUS LEAVES

Croton caudatus (Euphorbiaceae) is claimed to be useful in treatment of sprains, arthritis and liver disorders in traditional system of medicine. In the present investigation antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the 80% aqueous ethanolic extract from leaves of C. caudatus have been evaluated. The ethanolic extract reduced the nociception induced by acetic acid at dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly (P<0.001) and in dose dependent manner. In the hot plate test, the extract significantly increased the latency time of jump. The naloxone reversed the antinociception of the extract in hot plate test, indicating that C. caudatus ethanolic extract has morphinomimetic properties. The extract significantly decreased the rectal temperature in yeast-induced pyrexia in rats at highest tested dose.The ethanolic extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg produced 47% protection in carrageenan-induced edema. Steroids and/or triterpenoids, flavonoids and their glycosides are the major constituents of ethanolic extract of C. caudatus.