Pharmaceutical Biology 1388-0209/00/3805-0367$15.
00
2000, Vol. 38, No. 5, pp. 367–370
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTIPYRETIC AND ANTISPASMODIC
PROPERTIES OF CHROMOLAENA ODORATA
Oludare B. Taiwo1, Olumayokun A. Olajide2, Olufunmilola O. Soyannwo1
and J. Modupe Makinde1
1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
2Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo Universiy, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
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ABSTRACT
A methanol extract of the leaves of Chromolaena odor-
ata was evaluated for anti-inflammatory effects in the
carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model as well as
for antipyretic activity in mice. The effects of the extract
on intestinal transit of charcoal meal and castor oil-
induced diarrhoea were also investigated. The extract
For personal use only.
(50–200 mg/kg) inhibited paw edema in rats and pro-
duced significant (p  0.05) reduction in rectal tem-
perature of mice rendered hyperthermic by yeast
suspension. Antimotility and antidiarrhoeal effects
were produced by the extract in intact mice. This study
establishes the out-inflammatory, antipyretic, and anti-
spasmodic properties of C. odorata.
INTRODUCTION
Chromolaena odorata (Linn.) King and Robinson
(Compositae) is a common weed found in waste places,
roadsides, farmlands, and growing in most bushes. A
decoction of the leaf is used in combination with lemon
grass and guava leaves for treatment of malaria. The
plant is also employed in wound dressing, skin infection,
and to stop bleeding. Other medicinal uses include anti-
diarrhoeal, astringent, antispasmodic, antihypertensive,
anti-inflammatory and diuretic (Watt & Breyer-Brand-
wijjk, 1962; Iwu, 1993).
Keywords: Chromolaena odorata (Linn.) King and Robinson,
antidiarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antispasmodic.
Address correspondence to: Olumayokun A. Olajide, Depart-
ment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. E-mail:
mailbox@skannet.com.
© Swets & Zeitlinger
The aqueous alcoholic extract of the plant has been
found to possess in vitro antispasmogenic activity in
the guinea-pig ileum and blocked histamine-induced
spasms (Feng et al., 1964). Weniger and Robineau
(1988) demonstrated in vitro antibacterial properties of
the plant, and showed that the aqueous extract of the
leaves showed hepatotropic activity in vitro.
In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory,
antipyretic, as well as the antispasmodic effects of the
methanol extract of the leaves, in order to establish
some of its pharmacological properties.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant Material
The leaves of C. odorata were collected in the bush
close to Abadina settlement, University of Ibadan. The
plant samples were identified in the Herbarium, Depart-
ment of Botany, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria,
where voucher specimens were deposited.
Preparation of Plant Material
Air-dried powered leaves weighing 220 g were
extracted in methanol by maceration for 48 h at room
temperature. The methanol was removed under reduced
pressure at 40 °C to give the solid extract which was
stored at 4 °C. The extract was freshly prepared in 2.5%
Tween 80 in saline for pharmacological studies.
Animals
Male Wistar rats (weighing 180–210 g) and male Swiss
mice (weighing 30–35 g) from the Pre-clinical Animal
House, College of Medicine, Univeristy of Ibadan were
used. They were fed standard diet (Ladokun Feeds Ltd;
Ibadan) and water ad libitum.
 368 O.B. TAIWO ET AL.

Effects of the Extract on Carrageenan-Induced
Rat Paw Edema
This was carried out according to the method of Winter
et al. (1962), as earlier described (Olajide et al., 1997a;
Awe et al., 1998a). The extract, at doses between 50 and
200 mg/kg, was orally administered to rats 1 h before
carrageanan injection, while indomethacin (5 mg/g, p.o)
served as a reference. Control animals received 10
ml/kg of Tween 80 in saline.
Effect of the Extract on Yeast-Induced pyrexia
The method of Loux et al. (1972), as described else-
where (Olajide et al., 1998a), was employed. After the
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housed in individual cages lined with white blotting
paper. Extract (50–200 mg/kg) was orally administered
to the animals in different groups. Animals in the ref-
erence group received atropine (1 mg/kg, p.o) while
animals in the control group received 10 ml/kg Tween
80. One hour later, castor oil (1 ml/100 g) was admin-
istered orally and the animals were observed for 24 h
for the number of wet faeces produced.
Statistical Analysis
Data were expressed in mean  SEM, and analysed
using the Student’s t- test. Values of p  0.05 were con-
sidered significant.

induction of pyrexia, the mice received the extract

(150–200 mg/kg) orally. Indomethacin (5 mg/kg, p.o)
was used as a standard. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Effect of the Extract on Intestinal Transit of Char-
coal Meal
The test was carried out using the method of Aguwa
(1986) as earlier described (Olajide et al., 1997b).
Extract (50–200 mg/kg), atropine (10 mg/kg) or Tween
89 (10 ml/kg) were orally administered to mice 20 min
For personal use only.
This study has established an anti-inflammatory activity
of a methanol extract of C. odorata in the carrageenan rat
paw model, as shown in Table 1. At 3 h, inhibition of
edema was 40.7, 64.0 and 59.3% by treatment with 50,
100 and 200 mg/kg of extract, respectively. It is note
worthy that anti-inflammatory activity was reduced

before feeding with the charcoal meal. The distance when the dose of the extract increased to 200 mg/kg.
travelled by the charcoal meal was measured as previ- Indomethacin inhibited edema formation by 65.1%. The
ously described. carrageenan-induced paw edema formation in rats is a
measure of acute inflammation, and the extract of
Effect of the Extract on Castor Oil-Induced C. odorata exhibited effectiveness in this model.
Diarrhoea In Table 2, the effect of the extract on yeast-induced
The method described by Singh et al. (1997) was used, hyperpyrexia is illustrated. A significant (p  0.05)
with slight modifications. Rats were fasted for 24 h and antipyretic effect was demonstrated at all dose levels
Table 1. Effect of the methanol extract of C. odorata leaves on carrageenan-induced rat paw edema.

Group Dose (mg/kg, p.o.) Paw sizea (cm) Inhibition (%)

Control (Tween 80) – 3.1 ± 0.09 –

C. odorata 50 2.80 ± 0.09 40.7
100 2.54 ± 0.07* 64.0
200 2.51 ± 0.08* 59.3
Indomethacin 5 2.46 ± 0.1* 65.1

avalues are mean ± SEM; *p  0.05 vs. control, Student’s t-test (n  7).

Table 2. Effect of the methanol extract of C. odorata leaves on yeast-induced hyperpyrexia in mice.

Group Dose (mg/kg, p.o.) 0 min pre-drug Rectal temperaturea (°C)

60 min 90 min 120min

Control (Tween 80) – 38.5 ± 0.1 38.6 ± 0.4 39.1 ± 0.1 38.7 ± 0.3
C. odorata 50 38.8 ± 0.3 36.8 ± 0.6* 36.5 ± 0.5* 36.1 ± 0.2*
100 38.4 ± 0.4 37.0 ± 0.3* 36.6 ± 0.6* 36.4 ± 0.2*
200 38.6 ± 0.1 36.4 ± 0.2* 36.0 ± 0.2* 35.9 ± 0.3*
Indomethacin 5 38.8 ± 0.5 36.4 ± 0.4* 36.1 ± 0.1* 35.6 ± 0.1*

avalues are mean ± SEM; *p  0.05 vs.pre-drug values, Student’s t-test (n  5).
 CHROMOLAENA ODORATA IN INFLAMMATION, FEVER AND SPASMS 369

Table 3. Effect of the methanol extract of C. odorata leaves on intestinal motility in mice.

Group Dose (mg/kg, p.o.) % of distance traveled by charcoal meala

Control (Tween 80) – 41.8 ± 1.1

C. odorata 50 33.3 ± 1.4*
100 25.2 ± 1.2*
200 20.8 ± 0.9*
Atropine 10 14.8 ± 1.0*

avalues are mean ± SEM; *p 0.05 vs. control, Student’s t-test.

Table 4. Effect of the methanol extract of C. odorata leaves on castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice.

Group Dose (mg/kg, p.o.) Number of faecesa

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Control (Tween 80) – 13.3 ± 1.1

C. odorata 50 8.8 ± 1.1*
100 6.2 ± 0.5*
200 5.5 ± 0.7*
Atropine 10 3.0 ± 0.7*

avalues are mean ± SEM; *p  0.05 vs. control, Student’s t-test.

studied. C. odorata has a reputation of being an effec-
tive remedy in malaria traditionally. We have not found
any reports on the schizoutocidal activity of this plant
against P. berghei or P. falciparum. Consequently, the
For personal use only.
Chromonaela odorata has been shown to contain
the flavonoids quercetin, isosakuranetin and saku-
ranetin (Metwally & Ekejuba, 1981). Quercetin and
other flavonoids possess anti-inflammatory activity

folkloric use of this plant in malaria could probably be
due to its anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects.
Inflammatory responses and febrile states are known to
be symptoms of malaria attack.
Other locally employed plants in malaria which
have demonstrated ant-inflammatory and antipyretic
properties include Cryptolepis sanguinoleta Lind.
Schltr. (Bamgbose & Noamesi, 1981); Azadiractha
indica A. Juss (Okpanyi & Ezeukwu, 1981); Newboul-
dia laevis (Beauv.) Seem ex Bureau. (Olajide et al.,
1997); Khaya grandifoliola Linn. (Awe et al., 1997)
Morinda lucida Benth. (Awe et al., 1998a); Hoslundia
opposita Vahl. (Olajide et al., 1998b); Mangifera indica
Linn. (Awe et al., 1998b), and others.
Tables 3 and 4 show the effects of C. odorata on the
gastrointestinal tract. In the intestinal motility test, a
dose-dependent reduction in the movement of the char-
coal meal was exhibited compared with control. None
of the doses of extract tested, however, showed a
stronger activity than atropine in this respect. A similar
trend was observed in the castor oil diarrhoea study.
The total number of wet faeces produced by rats in
extract-treated animals was significantly reduced com-
pared with control animals. These findings confirm the
local use of this plant as an antispasmodic and antidiar-
rhoeal. This plant could probably be producing these
effects by virtue of its blockade of histamine receptors
on the guinea-pig ileum (Feng et al., 1964).
(Middleton, 1996) and cause reduction of gastroin-
testinal transit (Dicarlo et al., 1996). It is not clear,
however, if the activities observed in this study were
due to flavonoids alone or other bioactive components
in the plant.
Therefore, studies are in progress to isolate the
bioactive compounds in this plant. In addition, the
plant should be screened for possible antiplasmodial
activity.
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Accepted: March 20, 2000