Studies on the anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic properties of Alstonia boonei stem bark

The methanol extract of the stem bark of Alstonia boonei was investigated f or anti-inflammatory property. The analgesic and antipyretic properties of the extract was also evaluated. The extract caused a significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of the carrageenan-induced paw oedema, cotton pellet granuloma. and exhibited an anti-arthritic activity in rats. Vascular permeability in duced by acetic acid in the peritoneum of mice was also inhibited. The extr act also produced marked analgesic activity by reduction of writhings induc ed by acetic acid, as well as the early and late phases of paw licking in m ice. A significant (P < 0.05) reduction in hyperpyrexia in mice was also pr oduced by the extract. This study has established anti-inflammatory, analge sic and antipyretic activities of the stem bark of A. boonei. (C) 2000 Else vier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.