Nida N. Farshoria, Mai M. Al-Oqaila and Ebtessam S. Al-Sheddi

Pharmacognosy Department, King Saud University-College of Pharmacy, Saudia Arabia

Abstract:

Ficus bengalensis Linn. Cv. krishnae [syn. F. krishnae C. DC.] commonly known as banyan tree, belongs to the Moraceae family. It is a plant basically reputed for its medicinal properties in traditional medicine of India. In view to the various medicinal uses of Ficus bengalensis, it was thought worthwhile to investigate the fatty acid composition and analgesic activity of alcoholic extract of leaves of Ficus Bengalensis. The fatty acid composition of leaf oil of Ficus bengalensis was determined by GLC analysis. The analysis revealed the presence of four fatty acids viz. lauric (3.8%), palmatic (63.6%), oleic (32.3%) and linoleic (0.3%). Further, the analgesic activity of alcoholic extract of leaves was also studied by flick tail method using an analgesiometer. It was found that the administration of the alcoholic extract in varying concentrations gave a significant increase in the reaction time and the extract showed a considerable analgesic activity at 100 min and 80 min.

Keywords: Ficus bengalensis Linn, lauric, palmatic, oleic, analgesic activity.