Exploration of anti-inflammatory activity of extract and isolated compounds obtained from the aerial root of Ficus benghalensis linn.

Ficus benghalensis L. is a traditional heritage tree available in Indian subcontinent and used traditionally for ailment of several diseases. Present study designed to purify and characterize the bioactive moiety (s) from the aerial root part of the plant, and assessment of the role of extract as well as purified molecules in the prevention of inflammation. Aerial root portion of the plant was first extracted using methanol as solvent, and further fractionated with n-hexane and ethyl acetate. α amyrin acetate (S1) was purified from the n-hexane and ethyl acetate fraction, and stigmasterol (S2), first time purified from the plant using from the ethyl acetate fraction using column chromatography. Extract, purified α-amyrin acetate and stigmasterol were checked for their anti-inflammatory property using Carrageenan induced paw oedema model on rat. Extract at a dose 400 mg/kg, α-amyrin acetate and stigmasterol both at 100 mg /kg dose significantly reduce the inflammation near to normal. After 3 hrs the paw volume was inhibited 25%, 47.5%, 42.5%, 45%, 62.5% by EA extract of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, stigmasterol 100mg/kg, α- amyrin acetate 100 mg/kg and standard Indomethacin, respectively. The finding of present study revealed the prospective anti-inflammatory property of α-amyrin acetate, stigmasterol and extract of aerial root of Ficus benghalensis L.