Anti-inflammatory, wound healing and in-vivo antioxidant properties of the leaves of Ficus amplissima Smith.

ETHNO PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ficus amplissima, commonly known as kal-itchchi, being used in folklore medicine, leaves juice is applied externally on old chronic wounds and the latex is applied on the wound.

AIM: There was no scientific evidence justifying the medicinal use of Ficus amplissima, therefore the present study was aimed at evaluation of anti-inflammatory, wound healing and in-vivo antioxidant activity of the plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study the acetone extract of Ficus amplissima leaves were studied for enzymatic antioxidant activity through different assays, anti-inflammatory by using carrageenan and histamine induced rat paw edema models (50mg, 100mg acetone extract) and wound healing activity by incorporating the two doses (1% (w/w) and 2% (w/w)) of acetone extract and simple ointment base B.P. in concentration of 0.5% (w/w) using excision and incision wound models in rats. In case of the excision wound model wound contraction and period of epithelization was studied while incision wound model was evaluated by determining tensile strength.

RESULTS: Ficus amplissima leaves expressed the potent anti-inflammatory and in-vivo antioxidant activity where 100mg acetone extract showed high activity. Treatment of wound with ointment containing 2% (w/w) acetone extract exhibited significant (P<0.001) wound healing activity.

CONCLUSION: The acetone extract of Ficus amplissima leaves exhibited better anti-inflammatory, wound healing and in-vivo antioxidant activity probably due to phenols constituents.