No abstract

The review includes 103 references on the genus Gelsemium, and comprises ethnopharmacology, morphology, phytoconstituents, pharmacological reports, clinical studies and toxicology of the prominent species of Gelsemium. Alkaloids and iridoids constitute major classes of phytoconstituents of the genus. Most popular species of the genus are the Asian G. elegans and the two North American related species, G. sempervirens and G. rankinii. Gelsemium species are categorized under medicinal as well as poisonous plants. Amongst various species, G. elegans and G. sempervirens possess medicinal value, and have been traditionally used as nervous system relaxant. These plants have been explored exhaustively for their anticancer activity. In the concluding part, the future scope of Gelsemium species has been emphasized with a view to establish their multifarious biological activities and mode of actions

Background: Fever, is known as pyrexia, may occur due to infection, inflammation, or any tissue damage and disease states. Normally, the infected or damaged tissue initiates the enhanced formation of pro-inflammatory mediators like cytokines which further increases the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PgE2) near the hypothalamic area and thereby trigger the hypothalamus to elevate the body temperature. Objective: Antipyretics are the agents which reduce the elevated body temperature. The most commonly used antipyretic agent, paracetamol, may be fatal due to its side effects. Methods: In this review paper, Chemical Abstracts, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct were the sources for the published article to collect information regarding antipyretic activity. Results: This review compiles the antipyretic plants that may be useful to treat fever due to various diseases. Conclusion: These medicinal plants could be good alternatives for traditional allopathic antipyretics.