Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Methanolic Extract of the Fruits of Ficus palmata

Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the possible in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract of fruits of Ficus palmata.

Place and Duration of the Study: In vivo studies were carried out in the Animal House of the S.B.S Ballawala Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India, between December 2014 and March 2015).

Study Design: Three different doses of methanolic extract were tested in this study regarding their anti-inflammatory activity.

Methodology: In vivo studies of anti-inflammatory effects of feeding adult albino rats under investigation with three different doses (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg-1) of methanolic extract were carried out after 24 hours of inducing inflammation by injecting investigated animals with carrageen.

Results: The results of anti inflammatory activity study showed that the fruit extracts at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/mL inhibited carrageenan induced paw edema in rats. The percent inhibition of writhing response by the extract was 28.57, 56.08 and 58.73 respectively, after 4 h of Carrageenan induction.

Conclusion: In the present work a potent anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of the fruits of Ficus palmata were demonstrated, validating the ethno pharmacological claims. These experimental findings would further establish the scientific basis of the traditional uses of the plant in the management of inflammatory conditions as well as control of pain.