ABSTRACT
Ficus abutilifolia, belonging to the family Moraceae is a small to medium sized tree that grow mostly in the African continent. It was reported to be used traditionally, in promoting fertility in humans and in the treatment of skin wart and management of epilepsy. Preliminary phytochemical investigation of the powdered root revealed the presences of flavonoids, saponins and tannins among others. The intraperitoneal LD50 of the 70% aqueous ethanol extract was found to be 2154.1 mg/Kg in mice. The anticonvulsant studies of the extract revealed that a single administration (at the dose of 100 – 400 mg/Kg) produced a dose-dependent protection against MEST; however, the extract did not offer significant protection against pentylenetetrazole- and 4- amino pyridine–induced seizures. These finding suggest some level of protection by the aqueous ethanol extract against MES induced seizure in chicks, thereby giving support to the traditional claim for the use of the plant in the treatment and/or management of convulsion and epilepsy.
ABSTRACT
The Butanolic soluble fraction (F3) of the leaves of Microtrichia perotitii DC was evaluated for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects on laboratory animals. The results of analgesic studies was dose dependent and showed significant inhibition of writhings in rats while those of the anti-inflammatory studies was dose independent and the values obtained were significantly different from the control (ketoprofene) at P<0.5,P<0.01 and P≤0.001 under the student’s t-test. There were remarkable reductions of paw edema in the mice. The results of the biological studies expose the local usage of the leaves for the treatment of pains and inflammation. The phytochemical screening of the leaves revealed the presence of Saponins, Flavonones, Alkaloids and Tanins.