ABSTRACT:
This study was aimed to evaluate the Anti-inflammatory and Antipyretic activities of the methanol fraction and its pure compound chrysophanol of Cassia occidentalis Linn. in male albino wistar rats. Paw edema was produced by subplantar injection of carrageenan, cotton pellet granuloma was produced by implantation of 30 mg sterile cotton in groin region. The animals were treated with methanol fraction COMF (200 mg/kg bw) and chrysophanol (30 mg/kg bw). The results showed that COMF and chrysophanol significantly inhibited inflammation in carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models (p>0.05). Fever was induced by yeast-induced hyperpyrexia. In chrysophanol treated groups the mean temperature 38.04°C was reduced to 36.33°C at 3 h and 35.98oC at 4 h. Interestingly the COMF, also showed maximum reduction in temperature, from 38.22°C to 37.01 °C at 3 h and 36.61°C at 4 h. The temperature lowering activity of COMF and chrysophanol (P>0.05) was similar to paracetamol treated group. In conclusion, this study has established the anti-inflammatory activity and antipyretic activity of C. occidentalis, justifies the ethnic uses of the plant.