Vol. 7, Issue 6 (2018)

Objective: In the present research, we evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of methanolic extract of Ficus religiosa Linn. fruits on animal models.

Methods: The methanol extract of the dried fruits of Ficus religiosa Linn. (Peepal tree) was screened for its anti-inflammatory activity in Wistar albino rats and analgesic effects in Swiss albino mice.

Results: A significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, comparable to that produced by ibuprofen (40mg/kg i.v.), the standard anti-inflammatory drug, was obtained with all the two doses (200 and 400mg/kg) of the extract, tested in the present study. A significant inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice was observed with two doses of the extract (200 and 400mg/kg). The analgesic effect was comparable to that caused by the standard drug, Diclofenac (5mg/kg i.p.). The effect was more pronounced with high dose (400mg/kg) than low dose (200mg/kg).

Conclusion: The study has shown that the methanol extract of Ficus religiosa fruits does possess significant anti nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory animals at the doses investigated. Therefore the fruits part of the plant could be used in the management of pain and inflammatory conditions.