Analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of Ficus Palmata Forssk.: an In-vitro and In-vivo approach

Ficus palmata (F. palmata) is one of the prominent shrubs that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential and belongs to the family Moraceae. The current study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of its aerial parts. The cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibition activity and a human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stability assay were used to evaluate the in-vitro anti-inflammatory potential of F. palmata ethanolic extract. The in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the carrageenan-induced paw oedema test, and the analgesic potential by the tail-flick test, acetic acid-induced writhing models, hot plate test, and formalin-induced analgesia, along with measurement of the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in rat serum and histopathological findings. The extract showed in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes such as COX-2 at 89.54% and COX-1 at 72.07%, and HRBC membrane stability at 58.8% with 800 μg/mL. In-vivo studies, Fp. EtOH exhibited significant anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw oedema model), analgesic (hot plate test, tail-flick test, acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced analgesia) responses at the doses 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg. The result demonstrated that the Fp. EtOH at a dosage of 400 mg/kg body weight exhibited efficacy comparable to that of the diclofenac sodium (standard) treatments employed in these models. Histopathological examination of the left hind paw demonstrated that Fp. EtOH effectively reduced paw inflammation, inhibited pannus development and mitigated bone degradation comparable to that of diclofenac sodium. Measurement of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and pathological findings were also done. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of F. palmata was supported by results from both in-vitro and in-vivo studies. These findings suggest that F. palmata could be a promising candidate for further research as a natural remedy for inflammation and pain.