Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of aqueous ethanolic extract of Tamarix aphylla L. (Saltcedar) in mice

The objective of the study was to investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activity of aqueous ethanolic extracts of tamarix aphylla. the powdered plant was extracted by the method of cold maceration using aqueous ethanol (70:30) as solvents. analgesic activity was assessed by eddy’s hot plate method, formalininduced paw licking and acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carageenaninduced mice paw edema. the anti-pyretic activity was determined by yeast-induced pyrexia in mice. the aqueous ethanolic extract of tamarix aphylla showed 42% inhibition (p<0.005) of acetic acid- induced writhing, 63% reduction (p<0.005) in formalin-induced paw licking, and 42% increase (p<0.05) in reaction time as compared to normal control. the extract did not show significant anti-inflammatory activity. however, it showed significant antipyretic effect (p<0.005). the results of this study demonstrate that aqueous ethanolic extract of tamarix aphylla exhibit analgesic and antipyretic activity but lacks anti-inflammatory activity.