Anti-inflammatory and Antipyretic Activity of Euphorbia peplis L

The ethanolic extract of Euphorbia peplis L. has been screened for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in suitable experimental models. It produces significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw oedema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma pouch in rats and a significant reduction of yeast-induced hyperpyrexia in mice. It failed to produce any analgesic activity on the hot plate reaction time test. On hematological parameters contradictory observations were recorded as it showed a proaggregatory effect on platelets and reduced fibrinogen level without affecting prothrombin time. Among the phytoconstituents detected in this plant, flavonoids may be responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanolic extract.