M.Khurshid Alam BEMS, M.Phil Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies The Islamia University of Bahawalpur

Antipyretic activity of ethanol extracts of Echinops echinatus, Alhagi maurorum, Fagonia cretica, Cymbopogon jwarancusa and Panicum turgidum form Cholistan desert, Pakistan was determined. Plant extracts were prepared by soaking air dried and milled plant material in ethanol for one week, followed by filtration and evaporation at 35oC. Treatment does with concentrations of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg of plant extracts were prepared. Fever was produced in rabbits, weighting 1000-1200 grams by injecting Escherichia coli suspension at a concentration of 0.01 ml/kg of body weight. The ethanol extracts of Fagonia cretica, at the dose of 500 mg/kg and Pancium turgidum, at the dose of 500 and 750 mg/kg showed significant antipyretic activity as compared to positive and negative control. The extracts of Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Alhagi maurorum and Echinops chinatus showed antipyretic activity but less than positive control. These results showed that ethanol extracts of Fagonia cretica and Panicum turgidum are more effective in lowering temperature as compared to Echinops echinatus, Alhagi maurorum and Cymbopogon jwarancusa.