PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIPYRETIC ACTIVITY OF DILLENIA INDICA LEAVE EXTRACT ON RATS

Abstract

The present study evaluated the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and antipyretic potential of the ethanolic extract of Dillenia indica leaves. The extract showed a yield of 12.5% and tested positive for major phytoconstituents, including flavonoids, phenols, tannins, proteins, and alkaloids. Quantitative analysis revealed measurable levels of total flavonoids (0.63 mg/100 mg) and phenolic content (0.47 mg/100 mg). Antioxidant activity assessed by the DPPH method demonstrated moderate free radical scavenging potential with an IC₅₀ value of 96.17 µg/mL. In the yeast-induced pyrexia model, the extract produced a dose-dependent reduction in rectal temperature, with the 350 mg/kg dose showing significant antipyretic activity when compared to the standard drug paracetamol. The findings support the traditional therapeutic use of Dillenia indica and indicate its potential as a natural antipyretic agent, warranting further investigation for bioactive compound isolation and detailed pharmacological evaluation.

Keywords
Dillenia indica, phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, DPPH, antipyretic activity, yeast-induced pyrexia, flavonoids, phenols, herbal medicine