Abstract

EVALUATION OF LAXATIVE ACTIVITY OF FICUS RELIGIOSA LINN. (MORACEAE) LEAVES AQUEOUS EXTRACT IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Dhirendra Singh, Minky Mukhija, Ankush Sundriyal*, Veenu Mangla

ABSTRACT

Ficus religiosa (FR) is commonly used in Indian traditional folk medicine for the treatment of constipation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the laxative potential of FR (leaves) in albino wistar rats. The aqueous extract (5% w/w) of FR was prepared and screened for the laxative activity at different doses (100, 200, 400 mg/kg, p.o.). The laxative activity was determined by the weight of feces matter. The effects of aqueous extract of FR and castor oil were also evaluated on intestinal transit, intestinal fluid accumulation and ions secretion. FR at different doses produced significant laxative activity and reduced loperamide induced constipation in dose dependent manner. The same doses of the extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a significant increase (p < 0.01) of intestinal transit in comparison with castor oil (2 ml). Moreover, the extract induced a significant enter pooling and excretion of Cl-, Na+, K+and Ca2+ in the intestinal fluid (p < 0.01). The results showed that the FR has a significant laxative activity and supports its traditional use in herbal medicine.

Keywords: Ficus religiosa, Constipation, Laxative activity.