Sci. Pharm. 2009; 77: 617–623
Antipyretic Potential of Swertia chirata Buch Ham. Root Extract
Sushil BHARGAVA * 1, Prakash S. RAO 1, Paridhi BHARGAVA 2, Shivshankar SHUKLA 2
1 Columbia Institute of Pharmacy, Tekari, Raipur, 493111, Chhattisgarh, India.
2 Institute of Pharmacy, Pt. Ravishankar Sukla University, Raipur, 493111, Chhattisgarh, India.
* Corresponding author. E-mails: bhargavasushil7@gmail.com or bhargavasushil7@in.com (S. Bhargava)
Abstract
The aqueous extract of Swertia chirata Buch Ham. Root (ASC) (Family: Gentianaceae) was evaluated for its antipyretic potential on Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in albino rats and Typhoid-Paratyphoid A, B vaccine induced Hyperexia in rabbits. In both models, the extract, at dose of 200 mg kg−1 body wt. and 400 mg kg−1 body weight, produced significant (p<0.001) reduction in elevated body temperature in a dose dependent manner. The antipyretic effect of the extract was comparable to that of paracetamol (150 mg kg−1 body weight, p.o.), a standard antipyretic agent.
Keywords
Swertia chirata • Chirayta • Antipyretic • Hyperexia • Fever
Received December 18th, 2008 | Accepted July 1st, 2009 | Published Online July 4th, 2009
