Effect of root-extracts of Ficus benghalensis (Banyan) in memory, anxiety, muscle co-ordination and seizure in animal models

Abstract

Background: Ficus benghalensis L. (Banyan) is a commonly found tree in Eastern Nepal. Its different plant parts are used for various neurological ailments. This study was performed in mice to see its effects in various neuropharmacological parameters. Methods: Passive-avoidance (memory), Open-field (anxiety), Pentobarbital-induced Sleep potentiation (sleep), Rota-rod (muscle-co-ordination), Pentylenetetrazol-Induced and Maximal Electroshock Seizure Tests were performed. Sample size was calculated using G*Power 3.1.9.2. Aqueous root extracts (Soxhlet method) of Ficus benghalensis 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg with negative and positive controls were used. The experimental results were represented as Mean±SD. P-value was set at <0.05. Oneway analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Mann-Whitney U test was appropriately used. Results: Passive-avoidance test showed 200mg/kg group spent significantly less. Time (0.00s+0.00s) in shock-zone than Normal Saline-group (9.67s+14.36s, P=0.000) or Diazepam-group (41.07s+88.24s, P=0.000). Open-field test showed 200mg/kg group spent significantly longer Time (24.77s + 12.23s) in central-square than either Normal Saline group (15.08s+6.81s, P=0.000) or Diazepam-group (15.32s+5.12s, P=0.000). In Rota-rod test, 200mg/kg group fell off the rod significantly (P=0.000) earlier (33.01s+43.61s) than both Normal Saline (>120s) and Diazepam (62.07s+43.83s) PTZ model showed that 100mg/kg significantly (P=0.004) delayed seizure-onset (184.40s+36.36s) compared to Normal Saline (101.79s+22.81s), however, in MES model 200mg/kg significantly (P=0.000) prolonged tonic hind-limb extension (17.57s + 2.15s) compared to Normal Saline (13.55s+2.75s) or Phenytoin (00.00s+00.00s). Conclusion: Aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis have memory-enhancing, anxiolytic, musclerelaxant, and seizure-modifying effect.