Abstract

The antipyretic and antiinflammatory properties of the infusions and methanol extracts of the whole plant of Cuscuta chilensis Ker-Gawl. and of the aerial parts of Cestrum parqui L'Herit. and Psoralea glandulosa L. were examined. A description and results of the in vivo studies are presented, based on the reduction of bacterial pyrogen-induced fever in rabbits and carrageenan-induced paw edema in guinea pigs, as well as acute toxicity assays. Both the infusion and the methanol extract of Psoralea glandulosa showed marked antipyretic and antiinflammatory activities. The infusion of Cuscuta chilensis reduced bacterial pyrogen-induced fever, but the methanol extract did not; both extracts, however, showed antiinflammatory activity. The infusion of Cestrum parqui was not significantly antipyretic, and the methanol extract only showed weak activity, but both extracts of this plant inhibited inflammation.