Anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of latex and leaves methanol extract of Euphorbia helioscopia

Objective: To evaluate anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of latex\udand leaves methanol extract of Euphorbia helioscopia against chemical (acetic acid induced\udwrithing and formalin tests) and thermal pain stimuli (hot plate test), carrageenan induced paw\udedema and brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia in mice respectively.\udMethods: Pain, inflammation and pyrexia were induced in mice. Leaves methanol extract and\udlatex were administered to mice, orally at doses, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg.\udResults: Leaves methanol extract at all used doses had 100% pain protection against\udperipherally induced pain pathway (investigated by acetic acid induced writhing test and late\udphase of formalin test). While central anti-nociceptive effect (measured by hot plate test and\udearly phase of formalin test) was found dose dependent with extract and latex. Similarly a\uddose dependent trend was observed in anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic effects and leaves\udmethanol extract showed maximal anti-inflammatory (81.25%) and anti-pyretic (45.36%)\udeffects at 300 mg/kg dose.\udConclusions: From the data obtained, it can be concluded that Euphorbia helioscopia\udpossesses marked anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities that can be\udattributed to the inhibition of synthesis of prostaglandins and other mediators responsible for\udpain, inflammation and pyrexia