Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 29(1), November – December 2014; Article No. 13, Pages: 57-61 ISSN 0976 – 044X International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net © Copyright protected. Unauthorised republication, reproduction, distribution, dissemination and copying of this document in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. 57 B.Janaranjani, G. Prasanna * , M .Chitra PG and Research Department of Biochemistry, Sengamala Thayaar Educational Trust Women’s College, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur Dt, Tamil Nadu, India. * Corresponding author: prasannakeertana@yahoo.in Accepted on: 27-08-2014; Finalized on: 31-10-2014. ABSTRACT In the present study, the methanolic extract of Drynaria quercifolia rhizome was investigated for its anti inflammatory and anti pyretic activities on carrageenan-induced paw odema and brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The results revealed that the extract at test doses of 100, 250 & 500 mg/ kg b.w produced a remarkable anti inflammatory activity at 2 ½hr with an inhibition of paw oedema of 21%, 33% and 58% respectively, compared to the reference drug dexamethasone (200mg/ kg b w) with an inhibition of 40%. Among the three concentrations, dose of 500 mg showed a maximum inhibition on carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. Anti pyretic activity was also studied on Brewer’s yeast – induced pyrexia rats. Fever was induced by injecting 10 ml/ kg (s.c) of 20% aqueous suspension of Brewer’s yeast in normal saline and rectal temperature was recorded by clinical thermometer before and after 12hrs of yeast administration. Drynaria quercifolia at a doses of 100, 250, 500 mg/ kg, showed significant anti-pyretic effect by decreasing the rectal temperature. Among the three concentrations, 500mg of plant extract exhibited remarkable antipyretic activity by decreasing the rectal temperature of rats in 1 hr (38.06 o C), 2hr (37.33 o C), 3hr (37.09 o C) after treatment which was higher than that of standard drug paracetamol (200 mg/ kg) (37.24 0 C). These findings demonstrated that Drynaria quercifolia have remarkable anti inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities when compared with positive control and thus have great potential as a source for natural health products. Keywords: Anti inflammatory, Anti pyretic, Drynaria quercifolia, methanolic extract . INTRODUCTION nflammation is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli including pathogens, irritants, or damaged cells. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue 1 . The process of inflammation is necessary in healing of wounds. Inflammation however, if runs unchecked, lead to onset of diseases like vasomotor rhinnorhoea, rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis 2 . Acute inflammation is characterised by classical signs- edema, erythrema, pain, heat, and above all, loss of function. The classical signs ar e triggered by the infiltration of the tissues by serum and white blood corpuscles (leucocytes). Chronic inflammation results in a progressive shift in type of cells, present at site of inflammation. It is characterized by simultaneous destruction and healing of the injured tissue from incidence of inflammation. Fever or pyretic is defined as the elevation of core body temperature above normal; in normal adults, the average oral temperature is 36.98C (98.58F). In oncology practice, a single temperature of more than 38.3°C (101°F) or three readings (at least 1 hour apart) of more than 38°C (100.4° F) are considered significant. Lower temperature elevations in the very young or old and in patients receiving steroids or other immunosuppressant’s are considered abnormal 3 . Medicinal plants are assuming greater importance in the primary health care of individuals and communities in many developing countries. There has been an increase of demand in international trade because of very effective, cheaply available, supposedly have no side effects and used as alternative to allopathic medicines. Medicinal plants are believed to be much safer and proved elixir in the treatment of various ailments 4 . In recent years, the natural antiiflammatory and antipyretics of plant origin are being appreciated due to possible toxicity of synthetic drugs. Keeping this view, Drynaria quercifolia w as selected to investigate its anti inflammatory and antipyretic activities Drynaria quercifolia (Family: Polypodiaceae) J. smith localy known as Gurar, is a parasitic fern 5,6 and it is widely distributed in Bangaladesh, India, South China, M alaisia, Australia and Thailand. It also found in low down the mountains on tree or rocks 6,7 . Drynaria querfcifolia usually grows in low fetile land with humid condition. This also grows in coastal areas of India including coastal Western Ghats of maharastra 7 . Rhizome and roots of this plants are used as tonic in typhoid fever and dyspepsia. Traditional use of this drug is in diarrhea, typhoid, jaundice, fever, headache, skin disease and syphilis. In another combination of drug, Drynaria is used for expelling rheumatism 8 . In the treatment of hyperthyroidism, Drynaria along with other drugs are used. The ethnomedicinal uses of the fern Drynaria quercifolia have been pharmacologically confirmed by several workers such as anthelmintic activity 9 , antibacterial and antidermatophytic activity 10 . Antiinflammatory and Antipyretic Activities of Drynaria quercifolia Rhizome in Rats I Research Article