Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Methanol Extract ofFicus pumilaL. in Mice

Abstract

This study investigated possible analgesic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the methanol extract ofFicus pumila(FPMeOH). Analgesic effects were evaluated in two models including acetic acid-induced writhing response and formalin-induced paw licking. The results showedFPMeOHdecreased writhing response in the acetic acid assay and licking time in the formalin test. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by λ-carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema and histopathological analyses.FPMeOHsignificantly decreased the volume of paw edema induced by λ-carrageenan. Histopathologically,FPMeOHabated the level of tissue destruction and swelling of the edema paws. This study indicated anti-inflammatory mechanism ofFPMeOHmay be due to declined levels of NO and MDA in the edema paw through increasing the activities of SOD, GPx, and GRd in the liver. Additionally,FPMeOHalso decreased the level of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2. HPLC fingerprint was established and the contents of three active ingredients, rutin, luteolin, and apigenin, were quantitatively determined. This study provided evidence for the classical treatment ofFicus pumilain inflammatory diseases.