The active principles of brown alga,
Turbinaria Conoides
(J.Agardh) Kuetz. (Sargassaceae) was
extracted with n-hexane, cyclohexane, methanol and ethanol-water (1:1) and investigated for acute toxicity and
antipyretic activity. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of steroids, flavonoids and
reducing sugars. Acute toxicity study was performed in Wistar rats after administration of extracts orally. No
mortality was observed up to the dose of 5g/kg for methanol and ethanol-water (1:1) extracts whereas n-hexane
and cyclohexane extracts were found to be toxic at the dose levels of 1g/kg and 2 g/kg respectively. In
biochemical analysis, n-hexane, cyclohexane and ethanol-water (1:1) extracts caused a significant (P<0.01)
increase in serum cholesterol, protein and alkaline phosphatase levels. In haematological studies, a significant
difference was observed for cyclohexane and ethanol-water (1:1) extracts in polymorphs, lymphocytes and
eosinophils when compared to the control. Antipyretic activity of extracts (100-400 mg/kg doses) was carried
out on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. Cyclohexane extract exhibited more significant antipyretic activity (P<0.01)
than the other extracts at a dose of 200mg/kg (54.43%), which was comparable to that of paracetamol at a dose
of 33 mg/kg. The findings validated the use of this brown alga in traditional cure of children’s fever.
