Comparative Evaluation of Analgesic, Antipyretic & Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Various Extracts of Dried Fruit of Illicium verum Hook.f (Star anise) in Rodents

Abstract

The current investigation was designed to evaluate the analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects of various extracts (methanol, ethanol, and aqueous) of dried fruit of Illicium verum hook.f, using 3 different doses (150, 250, and 350 mg/kg p.o) to verify the traditional uses of this spice. In the hot plate model of analgesia, ethanol extract showed a significant reduction in pain in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control group. The maximum effect was observed at 350 mg/kg dosage i.e., 16.90±0.17 s compared to the control group i.e., 5.03±0.05 s. The antipyretic activity was assessed in rats by Brewer’s yeast induction. The methanol and ethanol extracts produced a significant reduction in rectal temperature compared to the control group throughout the three doses. The maximum effect was observed at 350 mg/kg dosage of ethanol extract i.e., 37.1±0.8* compared to the control i.e., 39.1±0.3. In the paw edema model, methanol and ethanol extracts disclosed a significant reduction in paw edema at 350 mg/kg of dose. The maximum effect was observed at 350 mg/kg dosage of ethanol extract i.e., 0.25±0.23* compared to the control i.e., 0.97±0.4. In a behavioral study, locomotor activity (rearing) and exploratory activity (grooming) in mice was reduced significantly at higher doses (350 mg/kg p.o) involving the three extracts. However, scratching was increased non-significantly at all doses compared to the control group. This study concluded that various extracts of Illicium verum hook.f showed significant analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory effects at different doses in a dose-dependent manner with varying potencies. The ethanol extract was found to be more potent among all, followed by methanol and aqueous extracts, whereas maximum effects were observed at 350 mg/kg of dose.

A Comprehensive Review of the Pharmacology, Chemistry, Traditional Uses and Quality Control of Star Anise (Illicium verum Hook. F.): An Aromatic Medicinal Plant

“…The inflammation of paw volume in rats was significantly reduced in the methanol and ethanol I. verum extract test groups when compared to that in the control group. At present, star anise has a good therapeutic effect on acute inflammation such as that associated with the ear canal, oral cavity and airway surfaces, but whether it has an effect on other types of inflammation needs to be further researched [27].…”