An in-vivo study to assess the antipyretic activity of an ayurvedic herbo- mineral formulation Sannipata Bhairava Rasa

Abstract

Fever, or pyrexia, is a physiological response triggered by infectious and non-infectious stimuli, primarily mediated by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the brain. Ayurveda describes fever (Jwara) as a systemic disturbance which effects the body, mind, and sensory organs. Although several Ayurvedic formulations are traditionally recognized for their antipyretic potential, their clinical relevance has diminished due to lack of scientific validation. Addressing this gap, our study was aimed at evaluating the antipyretic activity of Sannipata Bhairava Rasa, a herbo-mineral formulation from Bhaishajya Ratnavali (Jwaradhikara). This study represents the first scientific investigation on this formulation. Sannipata Bhairava Rasa was prepared following classical guidelines. The study was conducted in two phases: acute toxicity study and antipyretic evaluation. Acute toxicity was assessed in six Wistar albino rats as per OECD Guideline 423. Antipyretic activity was tested using Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in Wistar albino rats divided into five groups (n=6), maintained under standard laboratory conditions. The control group received no treatment, while the standard group received Paracetamol (150 mg/kg). Test groups received Sannipata Bhairava Rasa at 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg. Statistical analysis was performed using R-ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni tests. Acute toxicity assessment demonstrated that a single 2000 mg/kg dose of Sannipata Bhairava Rasa was non-toxic. The test groups exhibited dose-dependent antipyretic effects, with the highest efficacy observed at 400 mg/kg. These findings suggest that Sannipata Bhairava Rasa exhibits significant antipyretic activity in Wistar albino rats, with maximum efficacy at 400 mg/kg, supporting its potential therapeutic application.