This study was undertaken to examine the anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory properties of the stem-bark ethanolic extract of mangifera indica (mango) using albino Wistar rats.  Male and female rats weighing 150-210g were randomly selected into four groups of four rats each after two weeks of acclimatization. Fever was induced in the rats by the subcutaneous injection of 50% baker’s yeast suspended in normal saline after taking their basal body temperature. 18 hours later, feverish rats were treated with oral administration of the extract, with group1 receiving 0.4ml of water and served as the control. Groups two and three received 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of the extract respectively while group 4 (reference group) was orally administered with 200mg/kg of aspirin (a known antipyretic agent). Temperature changes in the rats were monitored every 30 minutes for two hours using rectal thermometer.  To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract, the extract was orally administered to the rats following the dosage as described in antipyretic study. 30 minutes later, 2.5% formalin was subcutaneously injected at the right forelimb of each rat and the number of times the rats licked the injected limb was counted for five minutes and taken as inflammatory response. The result of the studies show that the ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Mangifera indica significantly (p<0.05) reduced baker’s yeast induced pyrexia in rats faster than aspirin especially at 100mg/kg within one hour. Also, (100-200 mg/kg) oral administration of the extract significantly (p<0.05) inhibited 2.5% formalin induced inflammation. The different chemical component of the plant especially polyphenolics, flavonoids, triterpenoids and mangiferin may be involved in the observed antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, the result of this study lend credence to the suggested folkloric  uses of the plants in the management and control of painful arthritis and other inflammatory condition as well as the associated fever(pyrexia). In conclusion that the ethanolic extract of the bark of mango at low doses could be used as a substitute in the management of pyrexia and inflammation.

KeyWords: Pyrexia, Inflammation, Mangifera indica,  Flavanoids.

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K. U. Nwoke

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences,

Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

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