HRLC-MS Metabolite Profiling and Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Ficus nervosa Heyne ex Roth

Background

Medicinal plants are one of the major sources for the development of new drugs, which creates the interest on searching biologically active molecules from the medicinal plants. Medicinal plants have been used as folkloric medicine for decades. The medicinal plant Ficus nervosa used in the Eastern Ghats for various health care preparations. However, the plant has not been scientifically validated with concern to the pharmacological aspects to undertake the current study. Objective: The study aimed to identification of phytoconstituents from Ficus nervosa leaves extract and exploring the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Materials and Methods

The phytoconstituents were analysis through LCMS/MS method. Further, extract activity was evaluated using tail flick, hot plate and acetic acid-induced writhing methods.

Results

The study identified top 20 compounds (10 from each +ve and -ve mode analysis). The extract found to be safe up to 2000 mg/kg and there were no mortalities were observed. In contrast, the NM extract showed anti-inflammatory effect at the dose of 500 mg/kg compared to reference compound. The NM dose 500 mg/kg showed a significant analgesic effect with a maximum latency response and inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing.

Conclusion

These study findings suggest that Ficus nervosa may have potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity meriting further biological evaluations.