EVALUATION OF ANTI-PYRETIC POTENTIAL OF FICUS CARICA LEAVES

Abstract

ABSTARCT A study was carried out to evaluate the anti-pyretic effect of an ethanol extract of leaves, of Ficus carica Linn. belonging to the family of Moraceae, at normal body temperature and yeast-induced pyrexia, in albino rats. A yeast suspension (10 ml/kg body wt.) increased rectal temperature 19 hours after the subcutaneous injection. The ethanol extract of Ficus carica, at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body wt. p.o., showed significant dose-dependent reduction in normal body temperature and yeast-provoked elevated temperature. The effect extended up to five hours after drug administration. The anti-pyretic effect of the ethanol extract of Ficus carica was comparable to that of Paracetamol (150 mg/kg body wt., p.o.), a standard anti-pyretic agent.