Antipyretic activity of alpha- and beta-santonin

The antipyretic activity of two sesquiterpene lactones, beta-santonin and arsubin, isolated from the lipid fraction of Artemisia coerulescens subsp. gallica was determined in rats along with the activity of alpha-santonin. In its alpha- and beta-forms, santonin caused a decrease in the body temperature of rats made febrile by the subcutaneous injection of beer yeast. This decrease, more pronounced in the case of beta-santonin, was dose-dependent and antagonized by pretreatment with haloperidol, an agent that also opposes the antipyretic activity of dopamine. These findings seem to show that the alpha- and beta-forms of santonin act on rectal temperature in a way similar to dopamine.