Vol. 1, Issue 1, Part A (2019)

Acalypha wilkesiana is an evergreen shrub usually planted around homes for horticultural purposes. This study investigated the potential ameliorating effect of A. wilkesiana leaf extract in inflammatory, pyretic and pain-induced conditions. Sixty five (65) male wistar rats with average weight of 205 grams were sampled randomly in three separate treatment protocols. First treatment include 5 groups a to e administered Normal saline, aspirin (0.9mg/ml), 40mg/kg-AW, 80 mg/kg-AW, 160 mg/kg-AW respectively; second and third treatments a to e were; Normal saline, Piroxicam, 40mg/kg-AW, 80 mg/kg-AW, 160 mg/kg-AW respectively. The extract caused significant changes (P<0.05) similar to aspirin and piroxicam on pyrexia and inflammation, but showed no tendency of ameliorating pain. From this investigation, A. wilkesiana leaf extract has significant anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic phytotherapeutic tendency, and this effect may be dependent on the dose of treatment.