Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory activity of Nerium oleander.

Oleander (Nerium oleander L., Apocynaceae) is an evergreen urbanite shrub, widely used for ornamental purposes in Egypt. Although this plant is naturally protected from several herbivores by its defensive secondary metabolites, it harbors many phytophagous pests. In the present study the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity of Chloroform, alcoholic and aqueous extract of Oleander leaf was evaluated. Paw edema was induces by administration of 0.1 ml of 1% w/v carrageenan in saline. Antipyratic effect was studied by Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The obtained data was statistically evaluated and it was observed that Oleander leaf shows its significant activity as anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent. The antipyretic effect was almost equivalent to the paracetamol. The chloroform and alcoholic extracts of N. Oleander produced significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity, while petroleum ether and aqueous extracts did not. Significant reduction of paw oedema was observed 40 min and 3 h after carrageenan injection, for alcoholic and chloroform extracts, respectively. Chloroform extract significantly decreased the elevated rectal temperature 3 h after the administration of a dose of 400 mg/kg.