Abstract

Ethanol extract of Oryza barthii obtained by cold maceration was investigated for antinociceptive and antipyretic activities using the hot plate and brewer’s yeast-induced hyperthermia methods, respectively in adult wistar rats. The medications used as positive control were piroxicam at 20 mg/kg intra-peritoneal (i.p) for the antinociceptive study and aspirin at 100 mg/kg i.p. for the antipyretic study and both induced significant delay in the reaction time of the rats to thermal stimulus and hyperthermia respectively. Oryza barthii (Poaceae) extract administered at dosages of between 125 – 500 mg/kg i.p, significantly delayed the reaction time of rats to thermal stimulus produced by the hot plate and reduced the hyperthermia in a dose-dependent manner. The results showed that O. barthii possesses antinociceptive and antipyretic activities, thus justifying the folklore use of the plant in traditional medicine for the control of fever and can be an alternative medicament in the management of pyrexia.

Keywords: Analgesic, Antinociceptive, Antipyretic, intraperitoneal, Oryza barthii extract