HELOTROPHIUM VELUTINUM LEAF EXTRACT: PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ANTIPYRETIC PROPERTIES

Researchers investigated the phytochemical screening and antipyretic activity of Heliotropium velutinum L's (H. velutinum L) ethanolic leaf extract in rats under Brewer's yeast-induced hypothermia. Several areas of Tamilnadu were selected for collection of H. velutinum leaves and the leaves were cut into small pieces and shade dried for a period of two weeks. A Soxhlet apparatus was used to extract 96% ethanol from dried powdered leaves (200 gm). Based on a standard phytochemical screening procedure, alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, phytosterols, flavonoids, and saponins were identified, but fixed oil and gums-mucilage were not detected. For the experiment, albino rats were taken weighing (300-350g) and were divided into four different groups with each group containing seven animals. A 4% aqueous suspension of gum Acacia was administered orally as vehicle to group 1, ethanolic leaf extracts of H. velutinum were administered in groups 2 and 3, along with 4% aqueous suspensions of gum Acacia, and paracetamol 30 mg/kg was given orally as a standard treatment. Rectal temperature was markedly elevated after 20 hours following subcutaneous injection of yeast suspension. The rectal temperature of rats was decreased in a dose-dependent manner by H. velutinum extract treatment. A significant reduction in body temperature was observed at a dose of 600 mg/kg and lasted up to 240 minutes after it was administered, as a result of this effect. Within 60 minutes of administration, the antipyretic effect began and lasted for 240 minutes. At 120, 180, and 240 minutes, yeast elevated rectal temperatures were significantly reduced by alcohol extract and paracetamol 30 mg/kg compared to the control group