J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014 Apr;5(2):89-96. doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.131734.

Central nervous system activity of an aqueous acetonic extract of Ficus carica L. in mice.

Bhanushali MM, Makhija DT, Joshi YM.

• Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Pharmacy, Belapur, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

BACKGROUND:  Ficus carica Linn. is reported to possess variety of activities, but its potential in CNS disorders is still to be explored.

OBJECTIVE:  The present study was carried out to evaluate the CNS depressant activity of aqueous acetonic extract of Ficus carica Linn on different models in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:  The aerial parts of the plant Ficus carica L. were extracted with aqueous acetone and the solvent was removed by rotary vacuum evaporator under reduced pressure. A crude extract was given orally and its effects were tested on ketamine-induced sleeping time, muscle-coordination, anxiety (elevated-plus maze and Staircase test), convulsions [maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures], and nociception. In addition, we determined the levels of neurotransmitters, norepinephrine (NE) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT).

RESULTS:  RESULTS FROM THE EXPERIMENTAL MODELS TESTED SHOWED:

(1) a delay on onset and prolongation of sleep of ketamine-induced sleeping time;
(2) significant muscle relaxant activity;
(3) a significant attenuation in the anxiety-response
(4) a delay in the onset of seizures and reduction in duration of seizures and mortality induced by MES and PTZ;
(5) a reduction in the licking time in nociception test and
(6) increased levels of NE and 5-HT.

CONCLUSION: This suggests that Ficus carica L. exerts its CNS depressive effect by modulating the neurotransmitters NE and 5-HT in the brain.

KEYWORDS: Anti-anxiety; Ficus carica; anticonvulsant; muscle-relaxant; neurotransmitters; sedative-hypnotic

PMID: 24948859