Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aqueous leaf extract
(WE), of Ficus benghalensis Linn. (Family: Moraceae) on nociception and
sedation using male rats. Different doses of the WE (0,125, 250, 500 or
1000 mg/kg) were orally administered and one hour later the effects on
nociception and sedation were determined using hot plate and tail flick test
and rat hole board technique. The WE had no analgesic or sedative effect
but exhibited marked hyperalgesic action determined in the hot plate test
indicating that this effect was mediated supraspinally. The hyperalgesic
activity was dose-dependent with an ED50 value of 585.7 mg/kg. The WE
extract was well tolerated even after subacute treatment; with no sums of
overt toxicity, hepatotoxicity, haematoxicity, stress or motor impairments.
Further, WE did not induce any aversive behaviour characteristic of painlike
syndrome.
