Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Ficus racemosa Linn. Stem Bark Extract in Rats and Mice

Abstract:
Present work was undergone to investigate analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of Ficus racemosa Linn. Stem bark extract in rats and mice. Ficus racemosa Linn. was studied for its analgesic activity on acetic acid induced writhing test in mice, tail flick test in rats and hot plate method in mice. The anti-inflammatory effects were investigated by employing acute inflammatory model i.e carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema, egg albumin induced paw oedema in rats, also studied for its preliminary phytochemical screening and acute toxicity studies, revealed presence of flavonoids, tannins and polyphenolic compounds, triterpenoids, coumarins, phytosterols, carbohydrates. The extract did not produce mortality up to 5000 mg/kg p.o. Ethanol extract at the maximum dose (500 mg/kg) showed comparatively significant (p< 0.05) activity in tail flick method, significant inhibition of the writhes in writhing test, showed more significant (p< 0.05) response at 90, 120 and 180 min in hot plate method, comparatively significant (p< 0.01) inhibition of paw volume in carrageenan and egg albumin induced paw oedema method to that of standard diclofenac sodium (100 mg/kg). Petroleum ether extract is non-significant in all the cases of analgesic and anti-inflammatory methods. While, hydro-alcoholic extract (100, 300, 500 mg/kg) showed quiet more significant (p< 0.01) response in analgesic and anti-inflammatory method to that of respective standard. The results obtained suggest marked analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract (500 mg/kg) and hydro-alcoholic extract (100, 300, 500 mg/kg). The results obtained support the stem bark is useful in inflammatory and painful conditions like leaves and unripe fruits of the same plant Ficus racemosa Linn.