Preliminary phytochemical and anticonvulsant studies on the root extracts of Ficus capensis Thunb. (Moraceae)

Ficus capensis Thunb. (Moraceae) is used in West Africa to manage different ailments including epilepsy, leprosy, neuralgia, weakness, stiffness, oedema, amenorrhoea and difficult childbirth. The aim of the study was to carry out preliminary phytochemical screening, acute toxicity and anti-convulsant studies of the methanol root extract (MRE) and hexane fraction of Ficus capensis . The preliminary phytochemical screening of the MRE and its fractions were carried out using standard procedures. Anticonvulsant activity was studied using Maximum electro-shock induced seizure test (MEST) in chicks and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure in mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the MRE and its fractions revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites . The intraperitoneal median lethal doses of MRE and WHF in mice were found to be 1,131 and 1,264 mg/kg respectively. No protection was recorded for MRE and WHF against maximal electro-shock induced convulsion; the standard drug, Phenytoin (20 mg/kg) had 100 % protection. The MRE (300 mg/kg) and WHF (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) produced a significant (P<0.05, P<0.001) dose independent anticonvulsant activity in the PTZ-induced seizure in mice; the standard drug, sodium valproate (200 mg/kg) had 100 % protection. The finding of the study suggests that the root extracts of Ficus capensis possess significant anticonvulsant activity validating the ethno-medicinal use of the plant in management of epilepsy. Keywords: Ficus capensis ; Phytochemical screening; Acute toxicity study; Anticonvulsant studies