Evaluation of Methanolic Extract Induced Antinociceptive, Anti-pyretic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Ficus hispida Leaves

Objective: Traditionally Ficus hispida is used as a palliative for pain, inflammation, diabetes, fever and neurological disorders. The present study set out to evaluate the antinociceptive, anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract of Ficus hispida leaves (MFHL).

Methods: Pithy dried leaves of Ficus hispida were extracted with sufficient amount of pure methanol. The antinociceptive activity of MFHL was evaluated by using formalin induced paw licking, acetic acid-induced writhing, tail immersion and hot plate methods in Swiss albino mice. Its anti-pyretic activity was evaluated by Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia test. And anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by using xylene-induced ear edema test.

Results: The crude extract was found to have significant (p<0.05, vs. control) analgesic activity at the oral dose of 200 & 400 mg/kg b. wt., in the tested animals. Extract at dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05, vs. control) reduced paw licking and abdominal writhing of mice, and revealed significant increase in latency (p<0.05, vs. control) in tail immersion and hot plate test at 30 and 60 min after their administration. In Brewer’s yeast- induced pyrexia test, the methanolic extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05, vs. control) reduced hyperthermia in mice in 1 hour observation and also lowering of temperature from 2 hours to 4 hours observation period respectively. In anti-inflammatory test, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of extract exhibited significant (p<0.05, vs. control) ear weight differences and inhibition of ear edema.

Conclusion: Results of above study indicate that Ficus hispida leaves can be a potential source of analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory medication.