Background. Ficus benjamina L. is an evergreen tree, native to Southeast Asia, and often known as a weeping fig. Its latex and fruit extracts are used by indigenous cultures to cure skin conditions, inflammation, vomiting, leprosy, malaria, and nasal ailments. The aqueous extract of the figs of Ficus benjamina L. has various therapeutic values, including biological activities on the central nervous system. Materials and Methods. The extract of the dried figs of Ficus benjamina L. (FBE) was prepared by defatting with petroleum ether for 16 h followed by soxhelation with 70% methanol (1 : 10 w/v) for 24 h, and standardization of the extract was carried out using HPLC with 5-HT as a standard. Electroconvulsions were induced by the maximal electroshock model, and chemoconvulsions were induced by picrotoxin. Results. The HPLC chromatogram of the Ficus benjamina L. extract showed an absorption peak with a retention time of 1.797 min, similar to that observed with standard serotonin (5-HT) solution. In the maximal electroshock model, FBE significantly reduced the duration of the tonic hind limb extensor and extensor-to-flexor ratio (E/F ratio) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, in the picrotoxin-induced seizure model, FBE increased the seizure latency and decreased the duration of tonic-clonic convulsions dose-dependently. We confirmed the anticonvulsant activity of the FBE extract as it attenuated both maximal electroshock and picrotoxin-induced convulsions. Conclusion. The in vivo studies revealed that the Ficus extract was found to protect the animals in electroshock-induced and picrotoxin-induced convulsions.

Scrub typhus is a rickettsial disease predominantly seen in Asian pacic region. It is caused by pathogen Orientia tsutsugamushi. Vector involved in scrub typhus is larval trombiculid mite(chigger). It presents as acute febrile illness with cough, severe headache and myalgia. Complications include pneumonitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocarditis, meningitis etc. Eschar or rash may not be present. Severity of illness can range from mild symptoms to multi-organ failure and death. We report a case of scrub typhus who presented with fever, shortness of breath and low oxygen saturation in emergency. Patient is a middle aged female with no known co-morbidities. Initially she was kept in COVID-19 suspected ICU and was managed supportively. HRCT was suggestive of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). RT-PCR for SAR-CoV2 came out negative. On evaluation it was found that she was having scrub typhus. In present scenario, not all patients who are having symptoms of fever, shortness of breath can be COVID19, scrub typhus is one of those illnesses which may present similar to COVID19. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of scrub typhus is essential as any delay might lead to dreadful complication and can be fatal.