Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the methanol leaf extract of Ficus ingens (Moraceae) in rodents.
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Date
2009
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Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Abstract
Ficus ingens is a medicinal plant used for haemorrhoids, in Borno State of Nigeria. In the present study, the
analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol leaf extract of Ficus ingens, (Miq.) Miq., (at doses of 75,
150, and 300 mg/kg i.p.) were evaluated using acetic acid- induced writhing test and hot plate in mice, and
carragenan- induced paw oedema in rats. The extract at all doses tested significantly (P<0.001) inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing and also significantly (P<0.05) prolonged the reaction latency to pain thermally induced in mice by
the hot plate. The extract at the doses (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg i.p.) tested afforded 61, 72, and 67% inhibition of
paw oedema, respectively at the end of the third hour which implied that the extract inhibit the release of
prostaglandins and lysosomal enzymes. The intraperitoneal median lethal dose (LD50) value in mice was 1131.4
mg/kg suggesting that the extract is relatively non-toxic at doses used. The phytochemical screening revealed the
presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and tannins which might be responsible for the observed
analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. This study showed that Ficus ingens possesses significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in rodents which supported the folkloric claim for the use of the plant in the
management of haemorrhoids.
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Keywords
Ficus ingens, Analgesia, Anti-inflammation, Phytochemical screening, Acute toxicity