Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2013; 3(4): 301-307 301

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Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/apjtd

Document heading doi:10.1016/S2222-1808(13)60073-0 襃 2013 by the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. All rights reserved.

In-vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of Manilkara

zapota leaves in albino Wistar rats
1 1 2 1*
Amlan Ganguly , Zobaer Al Mahmud , Mir Muhammad Nasir Uddin , SM Abdur Rahman
Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
1

Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Basundhara, Baridhara , Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh

2

PEER REVIEW ABSTRACT

Peer reviewer Objective: To screen ethanolic extracts of Manilkara zapota leaves (Family: Sapotaceae) and
Dr. Firoj Ahmed, Professor, Department its different solvent soluble fractions for possible anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic activities in
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, experimental albino Wistar rats.
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan induced paw edema method;
Tel: +88-2-9677623 (office) anti-pyretic potential was determined by yeast-induced pyrexia method in albino Wistar rats.
+88-01711972965 (cell) Results: In evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity the crude ethanolic (300 mg/kg) and ethyl
E-mail: firoj72@du.ac.bd acetate extract (300 mg/kg) showed significant inhibition of paw edema by 91.98% and 92.41%
(P<0.001) respectively at 4th h compared to standard diclofenac (86.08% inhibition). In anti-pyretic
Comments study by yeast-induced pyrexia in albino Wistar rats, the ethanol extract (300 mg/kg) reduced
This is a good study in which authors temperature from 37.90 °C to 37.41 °C (P<0.01) and 37.07 °C (P<0.001) in 3rd and 4th h respectively.
evaluated the anti-inflammatory and Similarly, both petroleum ether and ethyl acetate fractions exhibited significant anti-pyretic
anti-pyretic activities of M. zapota property (P<0.001). The maximum body temperature lowering effect (36.86 °C) was noticed by
leaves in carrageenan induced paw petroleum ether fraction.
edema and yeast-induced pyrexia Conclusions: The findings of the studies demonstrated both anti-inflammatory and anti-
in rats respectively. The activity was pyretic activities of the leaves of Manilkara zapota which could be the therapeutic option against
assessed based on percent inhibition inflammatory disease and pyrexia.
of paw edema, reduction of body
temperature in experimental animal
model. This study is also a novel work
and strongly supports the use of M.
zapota in the treatment of inflammatory
disease and pyrexia.
Details on Page 306 KEYWORDS
Manilkara zapota, Carrageenan, Paw edema, Yeast-induced pyresis

1. Introduction activated in most disease condition. Although it is a defense

mechanism, the complex events and mediators involved
I nflammation or phlogosis is a pathophysiological in the inflammatory reaction can induce, maintain or
response of living tissue to injuries that leads to the local aggravate many diseases[1]. The critical role of inappropriate
accumulation of plasmatic fluid and blood cells[1]. It is inflammation is becoming accepted in many diseases that
considered as a primary physiologic defense mechanism affect man, including cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory
that helps body to protect itself against infection, burn, toxic and autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative conditions,
chemicals, allergens or other noxious stimuli and usually infection and cancer[2,3]. So, an uncontrolled and persistent
*Corresponding author: SM Abdur Rahman, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Clinical Article history:
Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Received 2 May 2013
Bangladesh. Received in revised form 13 May, 2nd revised form 24 May, 3rd revised form 1 Jun 2013
Tel: +88-02-9661920-73, ext-8166 Accepted 15 Jul 2013
Fax: +88-02-8615583 Available online 28 Aug 2013
E-mail: rahman_du@yahoo.co
F oundation P roject: S upported by the M inistry of S cience, I nformation and
C ommunication T echnology ( MOSICT ) , G overnment of the P eoples R epublic of
Bangladesh, Grant No. 39.012.002.01.03.018.2012-323.
302 Amlan Ganguly et al./Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2013; 3(4): 301-307

inflammation may act as an etiologic factor for many of 2. Materials and methods
these chronic illnesses[4]. On the other hand pyrexia is a
common medical sign characterized by an elevation of 2.1. Plant material
temperature above the normal range of 36.5-37.5 °C due
to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set- Fresh leaves of M. zapota used in this study were collected
point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle from Curzon Hall, Dhaka University campus, Bangladesh
tone and shivering. Drugs that are currently used for the during the month of February 2012 at the flowering stage.
management of inflammation and pyrexia are non-steroidal The plant samples were identified and authenticated by
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. All experts in the Bangladesh National Herbarium Mirpur,
these drugs carry potential toxic effects. One study suggests Dhaka. A voucher specimen (accession No: DACB 37661) was
that risk of gastrointestinal bleeding was significantly deposited there for future reference. The leaves of M. zapota
associated with acute use of NSAIDs like regular-dose were freed from any of the foreign materials. The plant parts,
aspirin, diclofenac, ketorolac, naproxen or nimesulide. after cutting into small pieces, were sun dried for several
Piroxicam increased the risk of bleeding in both acute and days. The plant materials were then oven dried for 24 h for
chronic therapy. On the contrary many medicines of plant better grinding. The dried cutting pieces were pulverized by
origin had been used since ages without any adverse effects. a mechanical grinder and stored into an air-tight container.
It is therefore essential that sedulous efforts should be made
to introduce new medicinal plants to develop more effective 2.2. Extraction of the plant material and sample preparation
and cheaper drugs.
Manilkara zapota ( F amily: S apotaceae ) ( M. zapota ) About 1.0 kg of the powdered sample was taken in a clean,
is an important medicinal plant having various ethno round bottomed flask (5 L) and soaked in 4 L of 95% ethanol.
pharmacological uses. It is commonly known as Sofeda The container with its content was sealed by cotton plug and
or S obeda in B engali, S apota or C hikku in H indi, aluminum foil and kept for a period of 15 d accompanying
Simaiyiluppai in Tamil, Sapotasima in Telugu, Sapotille occasional shaking and stirring. The whole mixture was
or Sapodilla in French and American bully in English. It then filtered through cotton followed by Whatman No.1 filter
is cultivated throughout Bangladesh and India, though paper and the filtrate thus obtained was concentrated at
it is native to Mexico and Central America[5]. The major 39 °C with a Heidolph rotary evaporator. The concentrated
constituents isolated from leaves of M. zapota are lupeol extract was then air dried to solid residue. The weight of
acetate, oleanolic acid, apigenin-7-O-α-L-rhamnoside, the crude extract obtained from the M. zapota was 50 g. The
myricetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside and caffeic acid[6]. In crude ethanolic extract was partitioned successfully by three
traditional system of remedies the leaves of the plant are solvents of different polarity such as petroleum ether, carbon
used to treat cough, cold and diarrhea[7]. The leaves of tetra chloride and ethyl acetate respectively by the modified
the plant also posses antioxidant activity[8,9]. The leaves kupchan partition method[14]. The extracts and standard
also have antimicrobial property[10,11], analgesic potential, drug diclofenac and paracetamol were suspended in normal
antihyperglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activity[6,12]. saline using 1.0% Tween-80.
Bark is used as tonic and the decoction is given in diarrhea,
dysentery and peludism[5,13]. The bark of the M. zapota is 2.3. Chemicals and reagents
also traditionally used for the treatment of gastrointestinal
disorder, fever, pain and also inflammatory condition[5]. Diclofenac and paracetamol were collected from ACI
Although M. zapota has various ethno pharmacological pharmaceuticals and Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Dhaka,
uses the plant yet have not been undergone any extensive B angladesh respectively. C arrageenan was purchased
chemical or pharmacological study. R ecently anti- from Sigma-Aldrich, Germany. Yeast was obtained from
inflammatory activity of the bark of M. zapota has been Gonoshastho Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
reported by Hossain et al[5]. To the best of our knowledge,
the anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of the 2.4. Experimental animal
leaf part of the plant have not been reported so far and no
literature is currently available to substantiate these above A lbino W istar rats ( Rattus norvigicus ) of either sex
properties. Therefore, the present study was designed to weighing 120-150 g were used for the present study. They
investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic potential were purchased from the animal house of Jahangirnagar
of the crude ethanolic extract and its fractions of the leaves U niversity, B angladesh. T hey were maintained in the
of M. zapota in albino Wistar rats for the first time. animal house of North South University, Bangladesh for
 Amlan Ganguly et al./Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2013; 3(4): 301-307
303

experimental purpose. The animals were maintained under test materials, 0.1 mL of 1% w/v suspension of carrageenan
controlled conditions of temperature (23依2 )°C, humidity in normal saline was injected into the sub-plantar surface
(50依5) % and 12 h light-dark cycles. All the animals were of the right hind paw of each rat of every group. The paw
acclimatized for seven days before the study. The animals volume was measured by plethysmometer (Ugo Basile, 7140,
were randomized into experimental and control groups Italy) at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 h after the carrageenan injection.
and housed individually in sanitized polypropylene cages Mean increase in paw volume were noted for the respective
containing sterile paddy husk as bedding. They had free time intervals, thus edema volumes in control [(Ct-Co)
access to standard pellets as basal diet and water ad control] and in groups treated with test materials [ (Ct-
libitum. Animals were habituated to laboratory conditions Co) treated] were calculated. Percentage inhibition of paw
for 48 h prior to experimental protocol to minimize if any edema was calculated by using the following formula:
of non-specific stress. All experimental protocols were in % paw edema inhibition=[(Ct-Co) control-(Ct-Co) treated]/
compliance with Dhaka University Ethics Committee on (Ct-Co) control ×100
Research in Animals as well as internationally accepted Where, Co=paw volume at zero time (before carragennan
principles for laboratory animal use and care. injection), Ct=paw volumes at t time. (Ct-Co)=paw edema.

2.5. Phytochemical screening 2.8. Anti-pyretic activity study

The freshly prepared crude ethanolic extracts of leaves Anti-pyretic activity on albino rats was studied with fever
were qualitatively tested for the presence of alkaloids, induced by 15% brewer’s yeast. Healthy Wistar strain albino
phenols, tannins, reducing sugar, flavonoids, steroids, rats weighing about 120-150 g were taken. They were fasted
terpenoids and saponins by using standard phytochemical overnight with water ad libitum before inducing pyrexia
procedures[15,16]. and just before inducing pyrexia animals were allowed to
quiet in the cage for some time and after that their basal
2.6. Acute toxicity test rectal temperature were measured by using a clinical digital
thermometer by insertion of thermometer to a depth of one
The acute toxicity of M. zapota ethanolic extract and inch into the rectum. After taking the temperature, pyrexia
different solvent soluble fractions was determined in rats was induced by injecting subcutaneously 15% w/v suspension
according to the method of Hilaly[17]. Rats fasted for 16 h of brewer’s yeast in distilled water at a dose of 10 mL/
were randomly divided into groups of five rats per group. kg body weight in the back below the nape of the neck.
Graded doses of the extract (200, 400, 800, 1 600 and 3 200 mg/ The site of injection was massaged in order to spread the
kg p.o.) were separately administered to the rats in each of suspension beneath the skin and the rats were returned to
the group by means of bulbed steel needle. All rats were their cage and allowed to feed. After 18 h of brewer’s yeast
then allowed free access to food and water and observed injection the rise in rectal temperature was recorded. Only
over a period of 48 h for signs of acute toxicity. The number rats which were shown an increase in temperature of at least
of deaths within this period was recorded. 0.6 °C were used for further experiment. The animals were
divided into 5 groups, each group contains 6 animals. Group
2.7. Anti-inflammatory activity study I (control) received 1% Tween 80 in normal saline (10 mL/kg).
Group II (positive control) received 100 mg/kg body weight
In this experiment, carrageenan-induced rat hind paw paracetamol orally. Group III, IV and V received ethanolic
edema was used as the animal model of acute inflammation crude extract, petroleum ether fraction and ethyl acetate
according to the method of Winter[18]. Administration of fraction respectively p.o. at the dose of 300 mg/kg body
carrageenan in the sub-plantar region of rat’s hind paw weight. After the drug was administered, the temperature
leads to the formation of edema in situ due to localized of all the rats in each group was recorded at 1, 2, 3 and 4 h.
inflammation. The animals were weighed and randomly The mean temperature was calculated for each group and
divided into 6 groups of 6 rats in each. Group I (control) compared with the value of standard drug paracetamol.
received 1% Tween 80 in normal saline (10 mL/kg). Group II
(positive control) received 100 mg/kg body weight diclofenac 2.9. Statistical analysis
sodium orally. Group III, IV, V and VI received ethanolic
crude extract, petroleum ether fraction, ethyl acetate All values were expressed as the mean 依standard error of
fraction and carbon tetrachloride fraction at the dose of 300 the mean (SEM) and the results were analyzed statistically by
mg/kg body weight. After an hour of oral administration of one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett’s
304 Amlan Ganguly et al./Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2013; 3(4): 301-307

t test by using SPSS Ver.16. P<0.05 was considered to be also showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity having
statistically significant. paw edema inhibition of 58.99% (P<0.01), 70.04% (P<0.01)
and 86.96% (P<0.001) at 3rd, 4th and 6th h of the study
respectively. W hile the ethyl acetate fraction ( 300 mg/
3. Results kg) demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity
(P<0.001) and inhibited edema by 74.73%, 74.75%, 83.41%,
3.1. Phytochemical screening 92 . 41 % and 92 . 27 % after 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd, 4 th and 6 th h
respectively. The interesting finding was that the anti-
In preliminary phytochemical screening, the ethanol edematogenic effect of ethyl acetate fraction increased
extract of leaves of M. zapota demonstrated the presence of with the time up to 4th h and it showed most significant
alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and glycosides. (P<0.001) anti-inflammatory effect which is comparable to
that of standard diclofenac sodium. However the carbon-
3.2. Acute toxicity test tetrachloride fraction (300 mg/kg) didn’t show any paw edema
inhibition up to 3rd h but revealed to a lesser extent of
In acute toxicity study, oral administration of graded reduction in edema after 4th and 6th h compared to standard
doses (200, 400, 800, 1 600 and 3 200 mg/kg p.o.) of the ethanol and other fractions.
extract of M. zapota to rats showed no significant changes 120
in behavior, breathing, cutaneous effects, sensory nervous

of paw
100

system responses or gastrointestinal effects during the 80

Diclofenac

edema
% Inhibition
60
observation period. No mortality or any toxic reaction was CEE
40
recorded in any group at 48 h after administration. M. zapota 20
PEF
was safe up to a dose level of 3 200 mg/kg body weight. 0
EAF
0 2 4 6 8
Time (h)
3.3. Anti-inflammatory activity study Figure 1. Percent inhibition of paw edema at different time intervals of
different groups of rats receiving different extracts of leaves of M. zapota.
The effects of ethanolic crude extract and its different CEE: Crude ethanol extract of leaves; PEF: Petroleum ether fraction; EAF:
fractions of the leaves of M. zapota ( 300 mg/kg ) in Ethyl acetate fraction.

carrageenan induced paw edema in rats are shown in Table

1 and F igure 1 . T he crude ethanolic extract prevented 3.4. Anti-pyretic activity study
the formation of edema induced by carrageenan and thus
showed significant anti-inflammatory activity (P<0.001) The effect of ethanolic extract and two fractions of M.
and reduced the edema induced by carrageenan by 47.8%, zapota on normal body temperature in rats are presented in
62.87%, 70.96%, 91.98% and 95.65% respectively after 1st, 2nd, Table 2. In this test, the ethanol extracts and its fractions
3rd, 4th and 6th h injection of noxious agent carrageenan. of M. zapota at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight caused
The rate of anti-inflammatory activity was increased with significant lowering of the body temperature up to 4 h. The
time and reached the peak level at the 6th hour of the study ethanol extract reduced temperature from 37.90 °C to 37.41
which is even better than that of standard drug diclofenac °C in 3rd h (P<0.01) and 37.07 °C (P<0.001) in 4th h. Similarly

sodium at 100 mg/kg (% inhibition: 92.75%) at 6th h (Figure 1). both the petroleum ether and ethyl acetate fractions
The petroleum ether fraction (300 mg/kg) of M. zapota exhibited significant anti-pyretic property (P<0.001) as
Table 1
Anti-inflammatory activity of different extracts of M. zapota leaves on carrageenan-induced edema paw volume in Wistar rats ( mean依SEM, n=6).
Dose Paw volume (mL) (mean依SEM)
Group Treatment
(mg/kgbody weight) 1st h 2nd h 3rd h 4th h 6th h
I Control ----- 1.12依0.05 1.16依0.05 1.19依0.05 1.23依0.06 1.17依0.06
Positive control 0.91依0.02 0.84依0.04 0.81依0.04 0.79依0.04 0.75依0.03
** *** *** *** ***
II 100
0.91依0.02 0.87依0.03 0.85依0.04 0.76依0.04 0.74依0.03
** ** *** *** ***
III CEE 300
0.99依0.03 0.97依0.06 0.92依0.08 0.89依0.06 0.80依0.03
* ** ** ***
IV PEF 300
0.66依0.03 0.67依0.04 0.64依0.03 0.60依0.05 0.60依0.05
*** *** *** *** ***
V EAF 300
1.15依0.07 1.33依0.04 1.38依0.04 1.23依0.07 1.16依0.06
*
VI CTF 300
***
P<0.001, **P<0.01, *P<0.05 compared to control (one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s t test)
Positive control: Diclofenac, CEE: Crude ethanol extract; PEF: Petroleum ether fraction; EAF: Ethyl acetate fraction; CTF: Carbon-tetra chloride
fraction.
 Amlan Ganguly et al./Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2013; 3(4): 301-307
305
Table 2
Anti-pyretic effect of crude ethanolic extract, petroleum ether and ethyl acetate fractions of M. zapota leaves in Wistar rats (mean依SEM, n=6).
Dose Initial rectal temperature Rectal temperature after 18 h of yeast injection (°C)
Group Treatment
(mg/kg body weight) before yeast injection (°C) 0h 1st h 2nd h 3rd h 4th h
I Control - 37.22依0.11 38.11依0.17 38.17依0.15 38.17依0.10 38.16依0.11 38.14依0.11
Positive control 36.98依0.16 38.09依0.18 37.68依0.07 37.33依0.11 37.15依0.03 36.84依0.05
* *** *** ***
II 100
36.98依0.10 37.90依0.13 37.87依0.15 37.72依0.16 37.41依0.19 37.07依0.22
** ***
III CEE 300
36.97依0.10 37.71依0.05 37.53依0.06 37.38依0.07 37.18依0.11 36.86依0.10
** ** *** ***
IV PEF 300
36.93依0.10 37.68依0.09 37.57依0.10 37.24依0.14 37.06依0.15 36.89依0.13
** *** *** ***
V EAF 300

P<0.001, P<0.01, P< 0.05 compared to control (one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s t test).
*** ** *

Positive control: Paracetamol; CEE: Crude ethanol extract; PEF: Petroleum ether fraction; EAF: Ethyl acetate fraction.

shown in Table 2. The maximum body temperature lowering of cyclooxygenase pathway[27]. This study has shown that
effect (36.86 °C) was noticed by petroleum ether fraction. The the crude ethanolic extract of leaves of M. zapota and its
anti-pyretic properties of the extracts were comparable to petroleum ether and ethyl acetate fractions at a dose of 300
that of the standard drug paracetamol. It was evident from mg/kg body weight possess potential anti-inflammatory
the study that the observed anti-pyretic effects of the extract activity in carrageenan induced paw edema method. Among
were similar in both magnitude and time course. the all fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction showed most
prominent (P<0.001) effect which is comparable to that of
standard diclofenac sodium.
4. Discussion Yeast-induced pyrexia is called pathogenic fever and its
etiology involves production of prostaglandins, which set
T he carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, the thermoregulatory centre at a lower temperature. The
frequently used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity production of prostaglandins are mainly the most potent
of natural products is believed to be a biphasic process[19]. pyretic agent, phenyl glycidyl ether 2 appears to be a final
Carrageenan is the phlogistic agent of choice for testing pathway responsible for fever production induced by several
anti-inflammatory drugs as it is not known to be antigenic pyrogens. The anti-pyretic activity is generally exhibited
and is devoid of apparent systemic effects. The initial phase, as one of the properties of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
which occurs between 0-2 h after injection of the phlogistic drugs, resulting from their inhibitory effects on prostaglandin
agent, has been attributed to the release of histamine or biosynthesis in the central nervous system[28]. A number of
serotonin (5-HT)[20-22], and the second phase of inflammatory plant extracts modulate enzymes of cyclooxygenase pathway,
reaction is associated with the production and release of which inhibit leukotriene and prostaglandin synthesis by
prostaglandin like substances, bradykinin, protease and inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2 pathways[29]. Therefore, in the
lysosome[20]. The major components of inflammation are present study, it is reasonable to assume that the inhibition
the edema formation, leukocyte infiltration and granuloma of prostaglandin biosynthesis by various fractions of the M.
formation[23]. Formation of edema in the paw is the result zapota may be the reason for the anti-pyretic activity.
of a synergism between various inflammatory mediators The presence of phytoconstituents like terpenoids, steroids,
that increase vascular permeability or the mediators that flavonoids, tannins, glycosides have been previously
increase blood flow and development of edema induced by found to be responsible for anti-inflammatory and anti-
carrageenan is commonly correlated with the early exudative pyretic activities in plant[30,31]. The presence of the above
stage of inflammation[24,25]. It has been reported that the constituents like flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides
second phase of edema is sensitive to both clinically useful shown by the phytochemical screening in crude extract of M.
steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents[19,26]. zapota leaves may be responsible for this observed activity.
Since the extract showed inhibition of paw edema at 1-2 h The observed anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities
after carrageenan injection, the anti-inflammatory activity of the leaves of the plant could be attributed to some active
observed may be due to an inhibitory effect of the extract on constituents like lupeol acetate, oleanolic acid, apigenin-7-
the release of histamine and/or serotonin. The crude extract O-α-L-rhamnoside and myricetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside
and different fractions of leaves of M. zapota also exhibited isolated from M. zapota leaves which were previously
prominent inhibition of edema at 3rd to 4th h of the study reported by Shazly[6].
in comparison to control. I n the biphasic process of In conclusion, for the first time we have reported the anti-
inflammation the action of the extract was more significant inflammatory and anti-pyretic properties of the M. zapota
in the second phase and it can be explained by the leaves. The overall results of the present study indicate that
reduction of prostaglandin synthesis via inhibiting enzymes ethanolic crude extract and its petroleum ether and ethyl
306 Amlan Ganguly et al./Asian Pac J Trop Dis 2013; 3(4): 301-307

acetate fractions showed prominent anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract and its fractions of M. zapota
activity. Among these, the anti-edematogenic effect of leaves in carrageenan induced paw edema method and anti-
ethyl acetate fraction is most significant (P<0.001) at 4th h pyretic potential of the same extracts in yeast-induced
of the study. In anti-pyretic study, almost all the fractions pyrexia method. I nhibition of paw edema volume and
demonstrated significant anti-pyretic effect in albino Wistar reduction of body temperature are considered as indicators
rats. Among these, maximum body temperature lowering of the above activities.
effect (36.86 °C) was noticed by petroleum ether fraction at 4th
h. The observed results indicate potent anti-inflammatory Related reports
and anti-pyretic potentials of the leaves of M. zapota In this study, the anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic
which deserves further investigation to isolate the bioactive properties of the M. zapota leaves have been demonstrated.
constituents. Again, no mortality was recorded in the acute Similar study was conducted to report the analgesic potential
toxicity test justifying the safe and beneficial uses of the of the plant by Shivhare et al. (2011).
plant. Therefore, our findings provide scientific supports
for the use of M. zapota in the treatment of inflammatory Innovations & breakthroughs
diseases and pyrexia in ethno medicine. M. zapota has been used by many rural people traditionally
in the treatment of diseases like gastrointestinal disorder,
inflammation, fever and pain. But there is no extensive
Conflict of interest statement pharmacological study to validate these uses. In the present
study, authors have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory
We declare that we have no conflict of interest. and anti-pyretic activities of M. zapota in experimental rat
models.

Acknowledgements Applications
F rom the literature survey and acute toxicity study
This work was supported by the Ministry of Science, conducted in this research work, it has been found that M.
I nformation and C ommunication T echnology ( MOSICT ) , zapota is safe for use. It is effective against inflammation and
Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh (Grant pyresis as well. This scientific study supports and suggests
No. 39.012.002.01.03.018.2012-323). We wish to express our the use of this plant as an alternative to commonly used
gratitude to the authority of animal house of Jahangirnagar synthetic drug having various toxic effects.
University, Bangladesh for providing experimental animals.
W e are also grateful to the P harmacology L aboratory, Peer review
D epartment of P harmacy, N orth S outh U niversity, This is a good study in which authors evaluated the anti-
B asundhara, D haka- 1229 , B angladesh for providing inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of M. zapota
laboratory facilities. leaves in carrageenan induced paw edema and yeast-
induced pyrexia method in rats respectively. The activity
was assessed based on percent inhibition of paw edema,
Comments reduction of body temperature in experimental animal
model. This study is also a novel work and strongly supports
Background the use of M. zapota in the treatment of inflammatory disease
Inflammation is a reaction to infection, irritation or foreign and pyrexia.
substance. It is part of the host defense mechanisms. But
an uncontrolled and persistent inflammation may act as
an etiologic factor for many chronic illnesses. Pyrexia is References
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