ABSTRACT
Ficus religiosa L., a member of the Moraceae family, is a medicinal plant having a number of pharmacological properties. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions of an ethanolic extract of F. religiosa bark FRE (at 100 and 200mg/kg dosages) and the biomarker component quercetin QC (at 5 and 10mg/kg doses) were investigated. The estimate of quercetin was carried by using an HPTLC analysis of FRE. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative screening for key important phytocomponents was done using dried, ground plant stem barks. By using molecular docking, the molecular interaction profile with several anti-inflammatory drug targets was examined. Both the FRE as well as QC showed a substantial decline in paw volume when compared with the relevant control groups (p<0.01 & p<0.001). Following the administration of acetic acid to mice, the FRE and QC both demonstrate a substantial lengthening of the paw licking or leaping towards Eddy's hot plate as well as a decrease in the number of writhes (p<0.01 & p<0.001). This study supports the use of these herbs in conventional medicine to treat pain and inflammation by through similar mechanism as compound quercetin (QC).
