Antipyretic Activity and Acute Toxicity Evaluation of Ceiba pentandra (Malvaceae) and Ipomoea pes-caprae (Convolvulaceae) Extracts

The management of fever using synthetic antipyretics is associated with significant adverse effects, including hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal complications. This study aimed to evaluate the antipyretic activity of combined extracts of Ceiba pentandra (Malvaceae) and Ipomoea pes-caprae (Convolvulaceae), two medicinal plants that are traditionally used in African phytotherapy to treat fever. Aqueous extracts were prepared by decoction. Antipyretic activity was evaluated using a brewer’s yeast-induced fever model in Wistar rats. The animals were divided into groups that received either a saline control, Ceiba pentandra alone at doses of 125 or 200 mg/kg, a combination of Ceiba pentandra and Ipomoea pes-caprae, or the acetaminophen reference. Rectal temperatures were recorded for four hours. Acute oral toxicity was assessed according to OECD guideline 423. Ceiba pentandra demonstrated dose-dependent antipyretic activity, with a rapid onset of action within 30 minutes. Combinations showed markedly improved efficacy compared to Ceiba pentandra alone, improving by 5.17–47.37 percentage points. The combination of 200 mg/kg of Ceiba pentandra and 25 mg/kg of Ipomoea pes-caprae achieved superior effects to acetaminophen during the first two hours, with 100% inhibition compared to 82.11% for acetaminophen. No significant toxicity was observed, with an LD₅₀ greater than 2000 mg/kg. The combination of Ceiba pentandra and Ipomoea pes-caprae extracts demonstrated enhanced antipyretic activity and an excellent safety profile. This validates traditional African medicinal practices and suggests promising therapeutic potential.