Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Ficus carica Linn. leaves

The aim of the present study was to explore the probable anti-inflammatory effect of petroleum ether (PEE), chloroform (CE) and ethanol (EE) extracts obtained from the leaves of Ficus carica Linn. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma methods. The extracts were administered orally in doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg/day of body weight to healthy animals. The ethanolic extract (EEFC-II) 600 mg/kg exhibited maximum anti-inflammatory effect, which is 75.90% in acute inflammation and in chronic study showed 71.66% reduction in granuloma weight. The petroleum ether (PEE), chloroform (CE) and ethanol (EE) extracts significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma method in rats. These extracts showed a greater antiinflammatory effect comparative to standard drug Indomethacin.