Abstract

This study evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla leaf. The median lethal dose of the ethanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla leaf in mice was determined using Lorke method (1983). Phytochemical screening was carried out on the extract using standard methods as described by Trease and Evans (2002). In thirty-eight albino mice used in this study, the hot plate method was used in the determination of analgesic activities while in twenty albino rats used, the egg-albumin induced paw oedema method was used in the determining the anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf extract. The result revealed the presence of phytochemicals like flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides and carbohydrates in the leaf extract and the analgesic and anti- inflammatory activities potential of the leaf of the plant. The results obtained indicate that the extract administered intraperitoneally at a doses of 300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg produced a significant (P< 0.01) and dose–dependent inhibited oedema. The extract produced analgesic activity at the same doses mentioned above. There was significant (P< 0.01) analgesic activity though it was less than the standard drug. It had a clear cut dose response relationship in its effect, producing an increase in pain reaction time (PRT) of the mice used for the study. In conclusion, the extract was found to be safe as it had a median lethal dose of about 3800 mg/kg i.p in mice. The ethanolic extract of Ficus platyphylla leaf possesses both analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity.