J Ethnopharmacol. 1991 May-Jun; 33(1-2): 45-50.

Ethnopharmacology of rhinoceros horn. II: Antipyretic effects of prescriptions containing rhinoceros horn or water buffalo horn.

But PP, Tam YK, Lung LC.

Department of Biology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin.

Aqueous extracts of rhinoceros horn or water buffalo horn demonstrated significant antipyretic action at 2.5 g/ml i.p. (1 ml/animal) in rats with hyperthermia induced by subcutaneous injection of turpentine oil. Qingying Decoction, a classic compound prescription composed of rhinoceros horn and eight herbs, showed significant antipyretic action at dosages equivalent to 0.5 g/ml of rhinoceros horn extract. Comparable action was obtained by Qingying Decoction prepared with water buffalo horn. It is suggested that water buffalo horn can be used as a substitute for rhinoceros horn in treating hyperthermia, especially when prepared with other herbal materials according to the principles of compound prescriptions of Chinese medicine.