Topical and oral anti-inflammatory formulations of ficus racemosa [leaf] extracts

ABSTRACT

The anti-inflammatory activity of petroleum ether and alcoholic extracts of Ficus racemosa leaves has been reported. The oral and topical formulations of these extracts were developed and evaluated for their activity against carrageenan induced rat paw oedema. The effects of preparations were observed for 6 hrs. Topical formulation in the concentration of 10% w/w petroleum ether extract exhibited maximum anti-inflammatory effect, that is 67.96% at the end of 3 hrs. In case of oral suspension formulations the doses 100 mg/kg body weight of petroleum ether and alcoholic extract exhibited less anti-inflammatory activity, that is 57.88% and 60.61% respectively at the end of 3 hrs. The activity obtained was comparable to that of marketed oral and topical preparations of Diclofenac salts, a prototype of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent