Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry ISSN 2089-6514 (paper) 

Volume 14, Number 1, April 2025 | Pages: 473-479 | DOI: 10.14421/biomedich.2025.141.473-479 ISSN 2540-9328 (online) 
 

 

 

 

Antiinflammatory and Antipyretic Activities of Stem Extract 

and Fractions of Telfairia occidentalis in Rodents 

 
Jude E. Okokon1,*, Chinyelu C. Osigwe2, Uwaeme Ugonma Florence2, Ukeme Essien Andrew1 

1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria. 
2Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria. 

 

 

Corresponding author* 
judeefiom@yahoo.com 

 

 

 

 

Abstract 

 

Telfairia occidentalis Hook (Family-Cucurbitaceae) is a vegetable employed in Ibibio traditional medicine for the treatment of various 

diseases such as malaria and fever among others. The stem extract of Telfairia occidentalis was investigated for antiinflammatory and 

antipyretic activities in rodents using various experimental models.The stem extract (200 –600 mg/kg) of T. occidentalis was investigated 

for antiinflammatory activity against carrageenin, egg albumin and xylene – induced edema models and antipyretic activity against D-

amphetamine, 2,4-dinitrophenol and yeast-induced pyrexia models.  The extract caused a significant (p<0.05 – 0.001) dose-dependent 

reduction of inflammation caused by different phlogistic agents used. These effects were comparable to those of the standard drug, (ASA, 

100 mg/kg) used in some cases. The extract also exerted prominent inhibition of pyrexia on amphetamine and dinitrophenol-induced 

pyrexia (5 h). Inhibition was significant (p<0.05–0.001) from 3 to 5 h post- administration of extract and in a dose-dependent fashion. 

However, the stem extract did not affect yeast-induced pyrexia in mice. The anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of this plant may in 

part be mediated through the chemical constituents of the plant. The findings of this work confirm the ethnomedical uses of this plant to 

treat inflammatory and febrile conditions. 

 

Keywords: Telfairia occidentalis; anti-inflammatory; antipyretic; fever. 

 

 

INTRODUCTION 
 

Telfairia occidentalis Hook is a fluted pumpkin of the 

Cucurbitaceae family widely consumed as food in 

Nigeria (Okokon et al., 2009). It is a popular vegetable 

all over Nigeria, especially in the Niger-Delta region and 

the Eastern part of the country; varieties of meals are 

prepared from the leaves, stems, and seeds of the plant 

(Usunomena et al., 2023). The various parts of the plant 

(seeds, leaves and stem) are are used traditionally in the 

treatment of various ailments and diseases. 

Antiplasmodial activities of the seed, leaves and roots of 

the plant have been previously reported (Okokon et al., 

2007; Okokon et al., 2009). Enin et al. (2023) reported 

on antioxidant activity and in vivo inhibitory effect on 

alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase of the stem extract. 

The anti-inflammatory effects of the leaf extract 

(Oluwole et al., 2003) and seed extract (Okokon et al., 

2012) have been reported. Polyunsaturated fatty acids 

such as hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, 9,12-

octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (linoleic acid), 

9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester (linoleic acid) 

and 9-octadecenoic acid have been found in the various 

fractions of the stem extract as well as alkaloid, terpenes, 

saponin, flavonoid and tannin in the crude extract (Enin 

et al., 2023). The present study was designed to evaluate 

the effect of stem extract of T. occidentalis on 

experimentally-induced pain in rodents. The present 

study was designed to evaluate the antiinflammatory and 

antipyretic activities of the stem extract of T. occidentalis 

in rodents. 

 

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 
 

Plant materials 

Fresh stems of Telfairia occidentalis were collected from 

farms in Uyo metroplis in Uyo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, 

Nigeria. The leaves were identified and authenticated as 

Telfairia occidentalis by a taxonomist in the Department 

of Botany and Ecological studies, University of Uyo, 

Uyo, Nigeria and a voucher specimen was prepared and 

deposited at the herbarium of the Department of 

Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, Faculty of 

Pharmacy, University of Uyo. 

 

Extraction 

Fresh stems of Telfairia occidentalis were washed, cut 

into smaller pieces and dried under shade for two weeks. 

The stems were further pulverized to powder using an 

Manuscript received: 06 January, 2025. Revision accepted: 23 July, 2025. Published: 24 July, 2025. 

https://doi.org/10.14421/biomedich.2025.141.473-479


 

 
 

474 Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry 14 (1), 2025: 473-479 

 

 

electric grinder. The powdered stem material (2 kg) was 

soaked in 50% ethanol (7.5 L) at room temperature (28 ± 

2 °C) for 72 hours. It was thereafter filtered and the liquid 

filtrate was concentrated and evaporated to dryness in 

vacuo 40 °C using a rotary evaporator (BuchiLab 

Switzerland). The extract was weighed and stored in a 

refrigerator at -4 °C, until used for the proposed 

experiments. 

 

Experimental animals 

Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats (male and female) that 

were used in the study were obtained from the University 

of Uyo’s Animal House. They were kept in standard 

plastic cages in a well ventilated room and left to 

acclimatized for 10 days before the experiments. The 

mice were fed on standard pelleted diet and water ad 

libitum. The care and use of animals was conducted in 

accordance with the National Institute of Health Guide 

for the Care and Use of laboratory Animals (NIH 

Publication, 1996). Approval for the study was obtained 

from the University of Uyo’s Animal Ethics Committee. 

 

Determination of median lethal dose (LD50)  

The median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was 

estimated using albino mice by intraperitoneal (i.p) route 

using the method of Lorke (1983). This involved oral 

administration of different doses of the extract (100 -

1000 mg/kg) to groups of three mice each. The animals 

were observed for manifestation of physical signs of 

toxicity such as writhing, decreased motor activity, 

decreased body/limb tone, decreased respiration and 

death. The number of deaths in each group within 24 

hours was recorded. The LD50 was calculated as 

geometrical means of the maximum dose producing 0% 

(a) and the minimum dose producing 100% mortality (b).  

LD50 = √ab. 

 

Anti-inflammatory studies 

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of the stem 

extract on Carrageenin – induced mice hind paw 

oedema  

Adult albino male mice were used after a 24-hour fast 

and deprived of water only during the experiment. 

Inflammation of the hind paw was induced by injection 

of 0.1 mL of freshly prepared carrageenan suspension in 

normal saline into the sub planar surface of the hind paw. 

The linear circumference of the injected paw was 

measured before and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hours after the 

administration of the phlogistic agent. The increase in 

paw circumference in post administration of a phlogistic 

agent was adopted as the parameter for measuring 

inflammation (Okokon et al., 2010; Edem et al., 2023). 

The difference in paw circumference between the control 

and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 hrs after the administration of 

phlogistic agent was used to assess the inflammation 

(Edem et al., 2023). The stem extract (200, 400, and 600 

mg/kg i.p) was administered to various groups of 6 mice 

each, 1 h before inducing inflammation. Control mice 

received carrageenin while reference group received 

ASA (100 mg/kg). The average (mean) edema was 

assessed by measuring with Vernier calipers. 

 

Egg-albumin induced inflammation 

Inflammation was induced in mice by the injection of 

egg albumin (0.1mL, 1% in normal saline) into the sub 

planar tissue of the right hind paw (Okokon et al., 2010; 

Edem et al., 2023). The linear circumference of the 

injected paw was measured before and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 

5 hrs after the administration of the phlogistic agent. The 

stem extract (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg i.p) and ASA (100 

mg/kg orally) were administered to groups (n=6) of 24 h 

fasted mice 1 h before the induction of inflammation. 

The control group received 10 mL/kg of distilled water 

orally. Edema (inflammation) was assessed as the 

difference in paw circumference between the control and 

0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hrs post administration of the 

phlogistic agent (Edem et al., 2023). The average (mean) 

edema was assessed by measuring with vernier callipers. 

 

Xylene – induced ear oedema  

Inflammation was induced in mice by topical 

administration of 2 drops of xylene at the inner surface of 

the right ear. The xylene was left to act for 15 mins. 

Telfairia occidentalis extract (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg 

i.p), dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) and distilled water (0.2 

mL/kg) were orally administered to various groups (n=6) 

of mice 1 h before the induction of inflammation. The 

animals were sacrificed under light anaesthesia and the 

ears were cut off. The difference between the ear weights 

was taken as the oedema induced by the xylene (Okokon, 

et al., 2010; Edem et al., 2023). 

 

Evaluation of antipyretic activity of the Telfairia 

occidentalis stem extract on D-amphetamine-induced 

pyrexia 

Adult albino rats of both sexes that were used in this 

study were fasted for 24 hours but were allowed water ad 

libitum. They were randomized into groups of 6 rats 

each. Amphetamine (5 mg/kg, i.p) was administered to 

the animals after obtaining basal temperatures. 

Hyperthermia developed at 0.5 h following amphetamine 

administration. Different doses of stem extract (200, 400 

and 600 mg/kg orally), aspirin (100 mg/kg) and distilled 

water (10 mL/kg, orally) were administered respectively 

to the treatment and control groups of animals. Rectal 

temperatures of the animals were obtained at an hour 

interval for 5 h (Edem et al., 2023). 

 

Effect of Telfairia occidentalis stemextract on 2,4-

Dinitrophenol (DNP)-induced pyrexia 

Adult albino rats of both sexes fasted for 24 hours but 

allowed water ad libitum were used for the experiment. 

They were randomized into groups of six rats each. DNP 

(10 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to the rats after 



 

 
 

 Okokon et al. – Antiinflammatory and Antipyretic Activities of Stem Extract and … 475 
 

 

obtaining the basal rectal temperatures. Hyperthermia 

developed within 30 minutes of DNP administration. 

Different doses of the stem extract (200, 400, and 600 

mg/kg i.p.), aspirin (100 mg/kg), and distilled water (10 

mL/kg, orally) were administered to the treatment and 

control groups of animals. Rectal temperatures of the 

animals were obtained at 1h intervals for 5h (Edem et al., 

2023). 

 

Effect of Telfairia occidentalis stem extract on yeast-

induced pyrexia 
Adult albino rats of both sexes fasted for 24 hours but 

allowed water ad libitum were used for the experiment. 

They were randomized into groups of 6 rats each. At zero 

hour, the basal temperature of the rats were taken using 

digital clinical thermometer. Thereafter, each animal was 

administered subcutaneously with a 20% W/V aqueous 

suspension of yeast at a volume of 10 mL/kg (Okokon & 

Nwafor, 2010; Edem et al., 2023). At suitable intervals 

beginning one hour after yeast injection, the rectal 

temperatures of animals were taken, and animals with 

increase of 1˚C were selected and grouped for the study. 

The extract understudy was administered i.p. after the 

pyrogen at doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg to 

respective groups of rats. The control group received 

distilled water (10 ml/kg) and the reference group was 

administered with ASA (100 mg/kg) both orally. The 

rectal temperatures of the groups were taken at 1 hour 

intervals for 5 hours. 

 

Statistical analysis 

The data collected were analyzed using one way analysis 

of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s multiple 

comparison post-test (Graph pad prism software Inc. La 

Jolla, CA, USA). Values were expressed as mean ± SEM 

and significance relative to control were considered at 

p˂0.05. 
 
 

RESULTS 
 

Determination of Median lethal dose (LD50)  

Administration of stem extract of T. occidentalis (100 - 

5000 mg/kg) orally did not cause any mortality in the 

animal groups administered. Moreover, no physical toxic 

signs of the extract were observed. The median lethal 

dose (LD50) of stem extract of T. occidentalis was 

therefore estimated to be =5000 mg/kg. 

 

Evaluation of antinflammatory activity of the stem 

extract 

Carragenin-induced oedema in mice 

The effect of ethanol stem extract T. occidentalis (200-

600 mg/kg) on carragenin-induced oedema is shown in 

Table 13. The extract (200-600 mg/kg) exerted a 

significant (p<0.05 – 0.001) anti-inflammatory effect in a 

non dose–dependent manner. The effect was pronounced 

in the different treatment groups 30 min post-induction 

with carrageenan. The effect was sustained throughout 

the study (5 hr) but was not comparable to the standard 

drug, ASA, 100 mg/kg (Table 1a and 1b). 

 

Egg albumin- induced edema  

Administration of stem extract T. occidentalis (200-400 

mg/kg) on egg albumin - induced edema in mice caused 

a significant (p<0.05-0.001) non dose-dependent anti-

inflammatory effect against edema caused by egg 

albumin. The effect was pronounced in the different 

treatment groups 30 min post-induction with egg-

albumin and sustained throughout the study (5 hr). The 

low dose (200 mg/kg) exerted the highest anti-

inflammatory effect which was comparable to that of the 

standard drug, ASA (100 mg/kg) (Table 2a and 2b). 

 

Xylene- induced ear edema  

The anti-inflammatory effect of stem extract T. 

occidentalis (200-400 mg/kg) against xylene-induced ear 

edema in mice is shown in Table 3. The extract exerted a 

dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect which was 

significant (p<0.0-0.01). The effect of the highest dose 

(600 mg/kg) was not comparable to that of the standard 

drug, dexamethasone (4.0 mg/kg) (Table 3). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 1a. Effect of Telfairia occidentalis stem extract on carrageenan- induced oedema in rats. 
 

Treatment/ 

Dose (mg/kg) 

Time Intervals (hr) 

0 0.5 1 2 3 4 5 

Control 3.44 0.10 6.63  0.09 6.23 0.15 5.98 0.15 5.67  0.14 5.41  0.15 4.80  0.11 

Extract 

200 3.45 0.08 6.29  0.07 5.90 0.10 5.66 0.12 5.35  0.22 5.07  0.10 4.28  0.12 

400 3.50 0.07 6.72 0.05 6.02 0.21 5.67 0.15 5.39 0.12 5.10 0.10 4.69 0.14 

600 3.48 0.06 6.48 0.05 6.33 0.19 5.96 0.05 5.48 0.16 5.12 0.09  4.60 0.14 

ASA 100 3.41 0.06 6.15 0.25 5.81  0.34 5.61  0.27 5.18 0.18 4.82 0.12 4.27 0.13 

Data are expressed as mean  SEM.  Significant at ap<0.05; bp<0.01; p<0.001 when compared to control. n = 6. 

 

 



 

 
 

476 Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry 14 (1), 2025: 473-479 

 

 
Table 1b. Effect of Telfairia occidentalis stem extract on carrageenin induced oedema in rats. 

 

Treatment/ 

Dose (mg/kg) 

Average Inflammation/Oedema (mm) ± SEM 

0.5hr 1hr 2hr 3hr 4hr 5hr 

Control 3.19 0.03 2.79 0.01 2.54 0.02 2.23 0.03 1.97  0.04 1.36 0.01 

Extract 

200 

 

2.84 0.02a 

 

2.45 0.01c 

 

2.21 0.04c 

 

1.90 0.03c 

 

1.62 0.01c 

 

0.83  0.01c 

400 3.22 0.03 2.52 0.02c 2.17 0.03c 1.89 0.02c 1.60 0.03c 1.19 0.01c 

600 3.000.15 2.85 0.01 2.48 0.02c 2.00 0.01c 1.64 0.01c 1.12 0.01c 

ASA 100 2.740.02b 2.40 0.01c 2.20 0.03c 1.77 0.02c 1.41 0.01c 0.86 0.01c 

Data are expressed as mean  SEM. Significant at ap< 0.05;bp<0.01;cp<0.001 when compared to control. n = 6. 

 

 
Table 2a. Effect of Telfairia occidentalis stem extract on egg- albumin induced oedema in mice. 
 

Treatment/ 

Dose (mg/kg) 

Time Intervals (hr) 

0 0.5 1 2 3 4 5 

Control 3.78  0.11 6.81 0.05 7.23 0.11 7.37  0.16 7.25 0.18 7.21  0.20 7.16  0.20 

Extract 

200 4.17 0.14 6.06  0.06 6.16  0.26 5.99 0.29 5.89  0.33 5.85 0.34  5.41  0.28  

400 4.06 0.07 6.18 0.25 6.81 0.39 6.70 0.29 6.62 0.29c 6.57 0.28a 5.94 0.19  

600 3.66 0.11 6.01 0.24 5.95 0.14 5.98 0.25 5.87 0.27c 5.84 0.27 5.26 0.27 

ASA 100 3.75 0.08 6.27 0.29 5.83 0.29 6.07 0.27 5.67 0.33c 5.36 0.26a 4.92 0.22a 

Data are expressed as mean  SEM.  Significant at ap<0.05; bp< 0.01 when compared to control. n = 6. 

 

 

 
Table 2b. Effect of Telfairia occidentalis stem extract on egg- albumin induced oedema in rats. 

 

Treatment/ 

Dose (mg/kg) 

Average Inflammation/Oedema (mm) ± SEM 

0.5hr 1hr 2hr 3hr 4hr 5hr 

Control 3.03 0.02 3.45 0.01 3.59 0.01 3.47 0.01 3.43  0.02 3.38 0.02 

Extract 

200 1.890.01c 1.99 0.02c 1.82 0.05c 1.72 0.01c 1.68 0.02c 1.24 0.01c 

400 2.120.03c 2.75 0.02c 2.64 0.03c 2.56 0.03c 2.51 0.01c 1.88 0.02c  

600 2.350.02c 2.29 0.02c 2.32 0.01c 2.21 0.02c 2.18 0.02c 1.60 0.01c 

ASA 100 2.520.01c 2.08 0.12c 2.32 0.13c 1.92 0.13c 1.61 0.01c 1.17 0.01c 

Data are expressed as mean  SEM.  Significant at ap< 0.01;bp< 0.01, cp< 0.001 when compared to control. n = 6. 

 

 
Table 3. Effect of Telfairia occidentalis stem extract on xylene-induced ear oedema in mice. 
 

Treatment/Dose (mg/kg) Weight of right ear (g) Weight of left ear (g) Increase in ear weight (g) % inhibition 

Control (normal saline) 0.2 mL 0.047  0.004 0.085  0.006 (80.85) 0.038  0.002  

Extract 

200 0.042  0.004 0.065 0.006 (54.76) 0.023  0.005a 39.47 

400 0.040  0.004 0.057  0.004 (42.5) 0.017  0.001b 55.26 

600 0.045 0.002 0.057 0.004 (26.66) 0.012  0.01c 68.42 

Dexamethasone 4.0 0.035  0.004 0.045  0.004 (28.57) 0.010  0.001c 73.68 

Figures in parenthesis indicate % increase in ear weight, *significant at ap<0.05, bp < 0.01, cp < 0.001 when compared with control. n = 

6. 

 

 

Evaluation of antipyretic activity of the extract 

Effect of ethanol stem extract of Telfairia occidentalis 

on D-amphetamine induced pyrexia 

The antipyretic effect of the stem extract on 

amphetamine- induced pyrexia is shown in Table 4.  The 

stem extract (200-600 mg/kg), in the presence of the 

pyrogen, caused significant (p<0.05 – 0.001) reductions 

in the temperatures of the extract- treated rats when 

compared with the control. These effects were 

pronounced and sustained from 2- 5 h post treatment 

with the extract. The antipyretic effects of the extract 

were not comparable with that of the standard drug, 

ASA,100 mg/kg (Table 4). 

 



 

 
 

 Okokon et al. – Antiinflammatory and Antipyretic Activities of Stem Extract and … 477 
 

 

Effect of ethanol stem extract of Telfairia occidentalis 

on 2,4-dinitronitrophenol (DNP)-induced pyrexia in 

rats 

The stem extract of Telfairia occidentalis (200-600 

mg/kg) exerted significant (p<0.05–0.001) dose-

dependent lowering of temperature in DNP-induced 

pyretic rats. The antipyretic effect was, however, 

pronounced (p<0.05–0.001) and sustained from 4 - 5 h 

in all the extract-treated groups. The effect of the 

highest dose (600 mg/kg) was comparable to that of 

the standard drug, ASA, 100 mg/kg (Table 5). 

Effect of stem extract of Telfairia occidentalis on yeast-

induced pyrexia in rats 

Administration of stem extract of Telfairia occidentalis 
(200-600 mg/kg) did not cause any significant (p>0.05) 

reduction of body temperature of rats elevated by the 

administration of yeast. The standard drug, ASA,100 

mg/kg, reduced the temperature significantly(p<0.05) 

when compared to the control group (Table 6). 
 

 

 

 

Table 4. Antipyretic effect of Telfairia occidentalis stem extract on D-amphetamine-induced pyrexia. 
 

Treatment/ 

Dose(mg/kg) 

Time Intervals (hrs) 

Basal Temp 0 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 

Control 34.45±0.12 36.10±0.13 36.26±0.22 36.44±0.65 36.91±0.66 37.09±0.22 37.28±0.33 37.10±0.18 

Extract 200 34.57±0.10 35.76±0.38 35.46±0.17 35.23±0.16 35.53±0.21a 35.53±0.61b 35.63±0.20a 34.22±0.39a 

Extract 400 35.10±0.24 36.54±0.15 35.50±0.20 35.96±0.35 35.80±0.23a 35.56±0.42a 35.00±0.23b 34.20±0.15b 

Extract 600 34.85±0.08 36.23±0.08 35.43±0.33 35.53±0.14 34.43±0.52a 34.64±0.24b 35.17±0.12b 35.75±0.21c 

ASA    100 34.95±0.36 35.30±0.29 35.20±0.20 35.01±0.25 34.87±0.14a 34.25±0.10c 33.97±0.14c 33.51±0.11c 

Values are expressed as mean ± SEM. Significance relative to control. ap<0.05; bp<0.01; cp<0.001.  n = 6. 

 
Table 5. Antipyretic effect of Telfairia occidentalis stem extract on Dinitrophenol-induced pyrexia. 

 

Treatment/ 

Dose(mg/kg) 

Time Intervals (hrs) 

Basal Temp 0 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 

Control 34.92±0.34 36.55±0.40 36.07±0.49 36.55±0.67 36.27±0.51 36.57±0.23 36.07±0.41 36.17±0.41 

Extract 200 34.40±0.14 36.72±0.41 36.90±0.81 36.70±0.58 36.20±0.56 35.37±0.42 34.15±0.15a 33.55±0.25b 

Extract 400 34.95±0.13 36.90±0.22 36.75±0.56 36.00±0.45 35.93±0.24 35.00±0.33 34.22±0.14a 33.43±0.30b 

Extract 600 35.00±0.20 36.27±0.14 35.97±0.41 36.72±0.56 35.32±0.49 35.32±0.18 33.15±0.18c 33.34±0.33c 

ASA     100 34.52±0.13 36.07±0.37 35.82±0.35 35.50±0.12 34.97±0.18 34.57±0.07 33.30±0.17c 32.80±0.20c 

Values are expressed as mean ± SEM. Significance relative to control. ap<0.05; bp<0.01; cp<0.001.  n = 6. 

 
Table 6. Antipyretic effect of Telfairia occidentalis stem extract on yeast-induced pyrexia. 
 

Treatment/ 

Dose(mg/kg) 

Time Intervals (hrs) 

Basal Temp 0 0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 

Control 36.30±0.26 37.13±0.34 37.56±0.12 37.80±0.20 38.00±0.35 38.77±0.17 38.70±0.08 38.30±0.40 

Extract 200 36.10±0.32 37.33±0.14 36.91±0.24 37.40±0.36 38.52±0.27 37.83±0.26 38.0±0.53 39.0±0.28 

Extract 400 35.50±0.17 37.62±0.17 36.55±0.56 37.0±0.38 38.36±0.60 38.54±0.50 38.86±0.15 39.0±0.43 

Extract 600 36.1±0.68 37.41±0.06 36.34±0.64 37.0±0.33 37.60±0.08 37.88±0.11 38.20±0.21 38.70±0.26 

ASA     100 35.56±0.23 37.40±0.17 36.91±0.46 36.91±0.46 37.22±0.31c 36.83±0.11c 36.34±0.12c 35.77±0.16c 

Values are expressed as mean ± SEM. Significance relative to control. ap<0.05; bp<0.01; cp<0.001.  n = 6. 

 

 

DISCUSSION 
 

In this study, the stem extract was evaluated for anti-

inflammatory activities using various experimental 

models. In carragenin-induced oedema, the extract (200 - 

600 mg/kg) was observed to have exerted a strong effect 

at the early stage of inflammation (1-2 hour) indicating 

strong effect probably on histamine, serotonin and 

kinnins that are involved in the early stage of carragenin-
induced oedema (Vane & Booting, 1987). The extract 

further caused a prominent reduction of the later stage of 

the oedema suggesting its ability to inhibit prostaglandin 

which is known to mediate the second phase of 

carragenin induced inflammation (Vane & Booting, 

1987). However, ASA (100 mg/kg) a prototype NSAID, 

a cyclooxygenase inhibitor whose mechanism of action 

involves inhibition of prostaglandin, produced a 

considerable inhibition of the paw swelling induced by 

carragenin injection.  

The extract also inhibited egg albumin-induced 

oedema demonstrating that it can inhibit inflammation by 
blocking the release of histamine and 5-HT, two 

mediators that are released by egg albumin (Nwafor et 
al., 2007). However, ASA, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor 



 

 
 

478 Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry 14 (1), 2025: 473-479 

 

 

reduced significantly oedema produced by egg albumin. 

The extract exerted a significant (p<0.01) inhibition of 

xylene -induced ear oedema at higher doses of the 

extract, suggesting the inhibition of phospholipase A2 

(PLA2) which is involved in the pathophysiology of 

inflammation due to xylene (Lin et al., 1992). However, 

dexamethasone, a steroid antiinflammatory agent 

produced significant reduction in the mean right ear 

weight of positive control rats indicating an inhibition of 

phospholipase A2.  

Anti-inflammatory activities of plants have been 

linked to antioxidant potentials (Sokeng et al., 2013). 

The plant extract which has been reported to possess 

strong antioxidant potential (Enin et al., 2024), have been 

revealed by GCMS analysis to contain phenolic like 

compounds with antioxidant potentials such as PUFA 

(Kumar et al., 2010). Also, polyunsaturated fatty acids 

such as 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, 2- hydroxyethyl ester, 

hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester and hexadecanoic acid, 

methyl ester found in this extract have been implicated in 

the anti-inflammatory activity of plants (Kumar, 2010).  

Flavonoids are known anti-inflammatory compounds 

acting through inhibition of the cyclo-oxygenase 

pathway (Liang et al., 1999). Some flavonoids are 

reported to block both the cyclooxygenase and 

lipoxygenase pathways of the arachidonate cascade at 

relatively high concentrations, while at lower 

concentrations they only block the lipoxygenase pathway 

(Carlo et al., 1999). Some flavonoids exert their 

antinociception via opioid receptor activation activity 

(Rajendran et al., 2000; Otuki et al., 2005). Flavonoids 

also exhibit inhibitory effects against phospholipase A2 

and phospholipase C (Middleton et al., 2000), and 

cyclooxygenase and/or lipoxygenase pathways (Robak et 
al., 1998). The presence of these phytochemicals could 

have contributed to the observed activity which maybe 

acting through antioxidant action and other mechanisms. 

The antiinflammatory activity of the stem extract 

corroborates that earlier reported on the leaf and seed 

extracts (Oluwole et al., 2003; Okokon et al., 2012).  

On antipyretic activity, the extract significantly 

inhibited amphetamine, and dinitrophenol-induced 

pyrexia but did not affect yeast-induced pyrexia. 

Amphetamine acts on the brain causing the release of 

biogenic amines from their storage sites in nerve 

terminals resulting in increased level of cAMP and 

subsequent synthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic 

acids produced in neurons by receptor-mediated 

hydrolysis of phospholipids (Westfall & Westfall, 2006). 

This leads to hyperthermia. Dinitrophenol induces 

hyperthermia by uncoupling oxidative 

phosphorylation causing release of calcium from 

mitochondrial stores and also prevent calcium 

reuptake. This results in an increased level of 

intracellular calcium, muscle contraction, and 

hyperthermia (Kumar et al., 2002). Yeast induces 

pyrexia by increasing the synthesis of prostaglandins 

(Al-Ghamdi, 2001), in the hypothalamus which the 

extract could not prevent. The extract may have reduced 

pyrexia by reducing brain concentration of 

prostaglandin E2 especially in the hypothalamus 

through its action on COX-2 or by enhancement of the 

production of the body’s antipyretic substances such 

as vasopressin and arginine (Chandrasekharan, 2002). 

The hypothermic activity of the extract could have also 

been mediated by vasodilatation of superficial blood 

vessels leading to increased dissipation of heat 

following resetting of hypothalamic temperature 

control center (Rang et al., 2007). This action may be 

due to the phytochemical compounds in this plant. 

Therefore, the temperature lowering activity of the 

extract may not be unconnected with the inhibition of 

one or combination of the above-mentioned 

mechanisms. The phytochemical compounds in this 

plant may in part be responsible for the observed 

antipyretic activities of the stem extract. 

 

 

CONCLUSION 
 

The results of this study show that the stem extract of 

Telfairia occidentalis possesses antiinflammatory and 

antipyretic activities which are due to the activities of its 

phytochemical constituents. 

 

 

Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to the staff 

Animal House of Pharmacology and Toxicology 

Department, University of Uyo, for providing technical 

assistance. 

 

Authors’ Contributions: JEO, UEA - Research concept 

and design; JEO, UEA Animal studies, JEO, CCO-Data 

analysis and interpretation; JEO, UUF Writing the 

article. JEO, CCO and UEA read and approved the final 

manuscript. 

 

Competing Interests: The authors have not declared any 

conflict of interest. 

 

 

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