Phytochemical Screening, Acute and Sub-chronic Toxicity Studies of Aqueous Stem Bark Extract of Ficus polita

Abstract

Ficus polita Vahl is a tropical African evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the family Moraceae, and usually growing up to 15 metres tall. Extracts from different part of the plant had been demonstrated to exhibit various medicinal activities. Qualitative phytochemical screening of aqueous stem bark extract of F. polita was determined. Acute (LD 50 ) and sub-chronic oral toxicity studies of the extract of F. polita were evaluated in wistar albino rats. Phytochemical screening of Original Research Article

Traditional medicinal plants used for treating emerging and re-emerging viral diseases in northern Nigeria

“…Used to treat bronchitis, stomach ache and asthma in Nigeria, as love potion in Ghana and antimalaria, fever in India [173] , [174] , [175] Higher doses were not lethal or toxic in rats [175] Poliomyelitis Ficus platyphylla Delile Used to treat insomnia, psychosis, depression, epilepsy, pain and as an analgesic in Northern Nigeria [176] . Used to treat malaria and tuberculosis in Africa [177] Induced antimalarial activity, behavioral and anticonvulsant effect, sedative effect, decreased cerebral ischemia, antimalarial and anti-inflammatory [177] , [178] , [179] , [180] Intraperitoneal and oral LD 50 were greater than 2000 mg/kg and 5000 mg/kg, respectively [176] Poliomyelitis, smallpox, yellow fever, meningitis, monkey pox Ficus polita Vahl Used to treat infectious diseases, abdominal pain, dyspepsia and diarrhea [181] LD 50 of aqueous stem bark > 5000 mg/kg [182] Poliomyelitis, smallpox, yellow fever, meningitis, monkey pox, COVID-19 Ficus sycomorus L. Used to treat cough, skin infection, liver disease, diarrhea tuberculosis and stomach problem in Oman. Used to treat jaundice, ulcers, inflammation and respiratory and chest disease [ 183 , 184 ] The LD 50 of aqueous root extract was 3.20 ± 0.60 g/kg characterized by liver toxicity [184] Poliomyelitis, meningitis, hepatitis, yellow fever Ficus thonningii Blume Used to treat diarrhea, gonorrhea and diabetes mellitus, bronchitis, urinary tract infection in Angola.…”