Exploring the scientific evaluation of antipyretic activity in Dalbergia sissoo extracts and how this common tree might hold natural therapeutic potential.
For millennia, a sudden fever has sent shivers of worry through families. Before modern medicine, humans turned to the forest and the field, seeking remedies in the leaves, roots, and bark of plants. This ancient wisdom, often passed down through generations, is now being put to the test in modern laboratories.
The majestic Sheesham tree (Dalbergia sissoo), common across the Indian subcontinent and renowned for its hardy timber, is revealing a hidden talent: the power to fight fever.
Traditional medicine systems have long used various parts of the Sheesham tree for therapeutic purposes, but only now is science validating these applications.
This article delves into the exciting scientific journey to evaluate the antipyretic (fever-reducing) activity of its leaves and bark, exploring how a common tree might hold the key to a natural therapeutic agent.
First, let's demystify fever. It's not an illness in itself but a defense mechanism. When your body is invaded by pathogens like bacteria or viruses, your immune system releases chemicals called pyrogens (literally "fire-makers").
Pyrogens travel to the brain's command center for temperature regulation—the hypothalamus—and effectively turn up the body's thermostat. This higher temperature creates a less hospitable environment for invading microbes and speeds up immune responses.
While beneficial in the short term, a prolonged or very high fever can be dangerous. This is where antipyretics come in. Drugs like paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen work by telling the hypothalamus to lower the thermostat back to normal. The big question is: can extracts from the Sheesham tree do the same?
Scientists hypothesized that the ethanolic extracts of Dalbergia sissoo leaves and bark could contain bioactive compounds (like flavonoids and tannins) known for their anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties . To test this, they designed a classic experiment using a reliable animal model: laboratory rats.
This crucial experiment was designed to be systematic, controlled, and measurable, providing clear evidence for or against the plant's traditional use.
The leaves and bark of Dalbergia sissoo were collected, dried, and ground into a fine powder. This powder was then soaked in ethanol, a solvent excellent at pulling out a wide range of bioactive compounds. The liquid extract was then concentrated into a thick, potent paste.
To simulate a feverish state, scientists injected the rats with a suspension of Brewer's Yeast. This substance triggers a powerful immune response, causing a reliable and measurable rise in body temperature—a condition known as yeast-induced pyrexia.
The rats were divided into five groups to allow for a proper comparison:
Normal Control
Disease Control (Placebo)
Standard Control (Paracetamol)
Test Group (Leaf Extract)
Test Group (Bark Extract)
The rectal temperature of each rat was measured with a digital thermometer at regular intervals: before inducing fever, at the peak of the fever (18 hours post-yeast injection), and then for several hours after administering the treatments.
The results were striking. While the feverish rats given the placebo remained hot, the groups treated with the Sheesham extracts showed a significant and dose-dependent reduction in body temperature.
The extracts didn't just make the rats feel cooler; they actively intervened in the fever pathway. The bioactive compounds within the extract are believed to inhibit the production of prostaglandins, key signaling molecules that pyrogens use to reset the hypothalamus. By blocking their synthesis, the extract effectively "turns down the thermostat," much like how standard antipyretics work .
This table shows the average rectal temperature (°C) of rats in each group at key time points. The drop in temperature in the extract-treated groups is clear and sustained.
| Group | Treatment | Baseline Temp (°C) | Peak Fever Temp (°C) | Temp at 1 hr Post-Treatment | Temp at 3 hrs Post-Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Normal Control | 37.1 ± 0.2 | 37.3 ± 0.3 | 37.2 ± 0.2 | 37.2 ± 0.2 |
| II | Disease Control (Placebo) | 37.2 ± 0.1 | 39.5 ± 0.2 | 39.4 ± 0.3 | 39.2 ± 0.2 |
| III | Standard Drug (Paracetamol) | 37.1 ± 0.2 | 39.4 ± 0.3 | 38.1 ± 0.2 | 37.5 ± 0.2 |
| IV | Leaf Extract (200 mg/kg) | 37.3 ± 0.2 | 39.6 ± 0.2 | 38.4 ± 0.3 | 37.8 ± 0.3 |
| V | Bark Extract (200 mg/kg) | 37.2 ± 0.1 | 39.5 ± 0.3 | 38.7 ± 0.2 | 38.0 ± 0.2 |
This table calculates the maximum percentage reduction in fever, showing how potent the extracts were compared to the standard drug.
| Group | Treatment | Maximum Fever Reduction (%) |
|---|---|---|
| II | Disease Control (Placebo) | 4.5% |
| III | Standard Drug (Paracetamol) | 61.5% |
| IV | Leaf Extract (200 mg/kg) | 54.5% |
| V | Bark Extract (200 mg/kg) | 50.0% |
A look at the key reagents and materials that made this discovery possible.
| Research Reagent / Material | Function in the Experiment |
|---|---|
| Ethanolic Extract of D. sissoo | The test substance; a complex mixture of potential bioactive compounds whose antipyretic activity is being evaluated. |
| Brewer's Yeast | A pyrogen used to induce a sterile, predictable fever in the animal model, creating a controlled condition for testing. |
| Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) | The standard reference drug. It provides a benchmark to compare the effectiveness of the plant extracts against a known, effective treatment. |
| Ethanol Solvent | Used to dissolve a wide range of organic compounds from the plant material, creating the crude extract for testing. |
| Physiological Saline | Used as a vehicle to dissolve extracts/drugs for injection and as a placebo in the control group to ensure any effects are from the active ingredients. |
The journey from a traditional remedy to a scientifically validated treatment is long, but the first steps are promising. The experiment detailed here provides compelling evidence that both the leaf and bark of the Sheesham tree possess significant fever-reducing properties. While not as potent as the standard drug in this specific test, their effectiveness opens a new branch of inquiry.
This research does more than just confirm an old wives' tale; it identifies Dalbergia sissoo as a potential source for developing new, natural antipyretics.
The next steps involve isolating the exact molecules responsible for this effect, understanding their full safety profile, and conducting clinical trials.
In the timeless Sheesham tree, we may not only find shade and beautiful wood but also a natural, accessible ally in our eternal fight against disease.
While these findings are promising, further research is needed before Dalbergia sissoo extracts can be recommended as a treatment for fever in humans. Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice.
References to be added here in the format: , ,