Anti-Inflammatory, Fibrinolytic and Anti-Oxidant Activities of the N-Hexane Extract of Ficus sur Forssk (Moraceae) Leaves

Abstract

This study investigates the anti-inflammatory, fibrinolytic and anti-oxidant activities of the n-hexane extract and fractions of Ficus sur Forssk leaves. The extract was separated on column chromatography using a gradient elution of hexane, dichloromethane and ethanol. Pooled column fractions were assayed for membrane stabilizing for anti-inflammatory, Streptokinase inhibition for fibrinolytic and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reduction for anti-oxidant activity. Column fractions were pooled into five fractions (F1 – F5). The n-hexane crude extract and the fraction F3 consistently exhibited anti-inflammatory and fibrinolytic ability. The leaf extract of F. sur showed negligible anti-oxidant activity. Except for F1 all the fractions and the crude extract showed very high dose-dependent anti-inflammatory property even significantly higher (p <0.05) than the reference drug – diclofenac. Crude extract, F2 and F3 exhibited fibrinolytic ability. F1 showed the lowest assayed biological activity consistently. The study shows that the column fractions of n-hexane extract of F. sur leaves have fibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory activity and can be used in the management of thrombosis and inflammation.