www.IndianJournals.com Members Copy, Not for Commercial Sale Downloaded From IP - 44.209.135.156 on dated 15-Jun-2024 Bulletin of Pure and Applied Sciences. Vol.29C(No.2)2010:P.153-160 ANTIPYRETIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES OF THE METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF VITEX DONIANA SWEET (BLACK PLUM) Fanna I. Abdulrahman,* 1 Mustapha A. Tijjani 1 and Umar K. Sandabe 2 1 Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Maiduguri P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria 2 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Author for correspondence; fannas3@ yahoo.com , +234 8036921170 Received 25 October 2010:Accepted 30 November 2010 ABSTRACT Some of the pharmacological effects of the methanolic extracts of Vitex doniana Sweet were studied in experimental animals. Investigations were carried out on Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia and egg albumen induced edema in rats. The methanol extract concentrate gave a yield of 10.96% w/w with intraperitoneal LD 50 of 2068mg/kg at 95% confidence limit. The result of the Pharmacological evaluation showed the methanol extract to possess some efficacy as observed on its effect on pyrexia and anti inflammation. The extract of Vitex doniana exhibited antipyretic activity as it reduced yeast induced high rectal temperature. It also reduced edema induced by egg albumen. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of flavonoid, terpenes, glycosides, saponins, steroids and tannins. Thus the results of the investigation collaborates the traditional use of the plant in the treatment of fever and rheumatic pains. Key words: Vitex doniana, Antipyretic, Anti-inflammatory, Methanol extract. INTRODUCTION The Verbena family has many economic and medicinal importance, some of which are reported by Uphof (1968) and Hans-Jurgen, (1990). Earlier workers have reported the use of the fruits and leaf of V. doniana for medicinal purpose (Sofowora, 1993; Babalola, 1991). In Nigeria, information available from indigenous traditional healers indicates that a decoction of the chopped stem bark of V. doniana is prepared and taken orally for treatment of gastro-ententis (Kilani, 2006). The roots and leaves are used for nausea, colic and in epilepsy (Bouquet et al, 1993). The aqueous methanolic extract has also exhibited anti-diarrhea activity.