Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: The antipyretic activity of Gypsum Fibrosum and its constituents was investigated. The extract (0.8 g/ml crude drug) of Gypsum Fibrosum demonstrated marked antipyretic activity (P<0.05) against lipopolysaccharide-induced pyrexia in rats, but Calcined Gypsum and CaSO4 did not have this activity. The analysis of inorganic elements (except for Ca and S) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry revealed that the content of inorganic elements in Gypsum Fibrosum (0.1727 %) was more than that in Calcined Gypsum (0.1311 %), which suggested that inorganic elements may be the active constituents of Gypsum Fibrosum. In conclusion, Gypsum Fibrosum exhibits antipyretic activity which is consistent with its traditional use and this activity may be due to inorganic constituents.

Key words: Gypsum Fibrosum, antipyretic activity, inorganic elements