PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND EVALUATION OF IN- VITRO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF FICUS VIRENS BARK METHONOLIC EXTRACT

Abstract

Ficus virens (Syn: Ficus infectoria) is a plant belonging to the genus Ficus and family Moraceae is found in India, Malaysia and northern Australia. Its common name is white fig and locally in Hindi language known as pilkhan. Methanolic extract of Ficus virens bark was screened for invitro anti-inflammatory effect. Significant RBC membrane stabilization effect in heat induced haemolysis method and egg albumin protein inhibition was studied for invitro anti-inflammatory action. The phytochemicals like alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids and tannins present in the extract might be responsible for the desired anti-inflammatory effect of the methanolic extract, which was confirmed by the preliminary phytochemical tests and by estimation.