• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2007

The present study was carried out to elucidate the potential of Muntingia (M.) calabura leaves chloroform extract (MCCE) as antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agents using various animal models. The dried powdered leaves of M. calabura (20 g) were soaked in chloroform for 72 h and the supernatant obtained was then evaporated to dryness. The crude dried extract (0.912 g), dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (1:20; w/v) and considered as a stock solution (100% concentration/strength), was then diluted to the concentrations of 10 and 50% and used together in all experimental models. The MCCE was found to show significant (P < 0.05) antinociceptive and antipyretic activities, but less remarkable anti-inflammatory activity. Only the antinociceptive activity of MCCE measured using the abdominal constriction test and in the first phase of the formalin test occurred in a concentration-dependent manner. The anti-inflammatory activity of 50 and 100% concentrations MCCE was observed only at the range of time interval of 60 - 120 and 60 min, respectively. Based on the results, we conclude that the M. calabura leaves chloroform extract possessed remarkable antinociceptive and antipyretic, but less effective anti-inflammatory, activities and thus justifies the Peruvian folklore claims of its medicinal values.