A Group of Researchers of IPB Explored Ethanol Extracts of Kipahit Leaves as Natural Antipyretic
A group of researchers of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bogor Agricultural University (FKH IPB) implemented the research program on investigate the potential of Kipahit leaf as a fever-lowering (antipyretic). The group were Firda Agustin, Wasmen Manalu and Andriyanto.
Wasmen explains that fever is a response to the increase in body temperature caused by infection and toxic materials that affect the body's temperature regulation center. Almost all diseases, whether infectious or non-infectious such as malaria, dengue fever, or other infectious diseases, are characterized by symptoms of fever.
Wasmen said pyrexia, algesia and inflammation are associated with several pathological conditions. Synthetic drugs available for the treatment of these conditions cause multiple unwanted effects. Wasmen said the study aims to investigate the potential of a compound capable of reducing fever through inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by decreasing the activity of cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX), which officially known as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS), is an enzyme (specifically, a family of isozymes, EC 1.14.99.1) that is responsible for formation of prostanoids, including thromboxane and prostaglandins such as prostacyclin. COX-2 inhibition attenuates anorexia during systemic inflammation without impairing cytokine production. Pharmaceutical inhibition of COX can provide relief from the symptoms of inflammation and pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, exert their effects through inhibition of COX. Cytokines may act on the cells that secrete them (autocrine action), on nearby cells (paracrine action), or in some instances on distant cells (endocrine action). There are both pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Kipahit (Tithonia diversifolia) is one of the plants that have been used for its medicinal properties since ancient times. It is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family that is commonly known as the tree marigold. Based on the active compound and working mechanism of Kipahit leaves, this plant is thought to reduce fever (antipyretic) and proinflammatory cytokines. "This study was carried out to determine the efficacy of Kipahit leaves as an antipyretic through its proinflammatory cytokine approach," he said.
He added that the experimental animals used in the study were Sprague-dawley (150-200 g) strain rats that had been adapted for 2 weeks. Twenty four male white rats strain sprague–dawley with body weight of 150–200 g were divided into 6 groups and replicated 4 times. They were induced fever and were administered ethanol extract of Kipahit leaves (EEDK) at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW (treatment 1), 200 mg/kg BW (treatment 2), 300 mg/kg BW (treatment 3), and 400 mg/kg BW (treatment 4). Fever induced by injecting DTP–HB–Hib vaccines intramuscularly at a dose of 0.2 mL/200 g BW. The experimental rats without fever induction and without administration of antipyretic substance (control 0), the experimental rats induced fever without administration of antipyretic substance (negative control), the experimental rats induced fever and were administered ethanol extract of kipahit leaf (EEDK) at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW (treatment 1), 200 mg/kg BW (treatment 2), 300 mg/kg BW (treatment 3), and 400 mg/kg BW (treatment 4).
The results showed that experimental mice had early fever in the 30th minute post injection and peak fever occurred in the 90th minute post injection. The administered of Kipahit Leaf Ethanol Extract (EEDK) doses of 100 and 200 mg / kg is the most effective dose range that can decrease the rectal temperature of febrile induced rats.
The next stage of the study showed that EEDK dose of 100 mg / kg proved effective in reducing proinflammatory fever and cytokines. The optimum doses of EEDK administration that decreased rectal temperature were 100 and 200 mg/kg BW. It was concluded that the administration of EEDK has antipyretic activity. The active compounds of EEDK, namely steroids, tannins, and saponins, are thought to act as natural antipyretics," he said. (Wied)
