The anti-inflammatory potential, heamatological and histological changes induced in rats due to the administration of methanolic extracts of Ficus thonningii leaves.

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential,heamatological and histological changes induced in rats due to the administration of methanolic extracts of Ficus thonningii leaves. Fifteen wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 5 rats per group to measure the anti-inflammatory activity using the inhibition of carageenan-induced oedema. For the acute oral toxicity test, twenty mice divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each were used. The doses of the extract given were 0.2, 0.4, and 1.0 g/kg body weight while the control group was given an equivalent volume of 2.5% v/v propylene glycol. The blood samples were collected for haematology before, mid-way and after 21 days. The body weightswere also noted. Student “t”-test was used to determine the degree of significance between the treatment groups. The liver, kidney, spleen, ovary, uteri and lungs the animals were examined for histopathological changes. The extract of F. thonningiihas anti-inflammatory properties that are comparable to aspirin and are significant(P<0.05) to Tween 80. There were no significant haematological and visible tissue pathological changes in the treated groups. F. thonningii appeared to be safe andcan be recommended as a good source of feed for animals during dry season.   Key words: anti-inflammatory, Ficus thonningii, heamatological and histological changes, rats.