Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics

Ficus racemosa L (Moraceae) is an indigenous plant, which has been used extensively in the traditional medicine for treating various ailments. The present study was to demonstrate the in-vitro antiulcer and antioxidant activities of ethanolic extract of Ficus racemosa L. latex (EEFRL). In-vitro H⁺K⁺ATPase inhibitory activity, antacid effect and free radical scavenging activities were evaluated. H⁺K⁺ATPase inhibitory activity was studied spectrophotometrically, the antacid effect of EEFRL was evaluated by pH and duration of antacid effect was studied on a modified Vatier's artificial stomach model. Free radical scavenging activity was observed by DPPH assay, Nitric Oxide (NO) radical assay and Lipid peroxidation (LPO) assay. The results were expressed as mean±SEM and statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA, followed by the Tukey's test. EEFRL at 50μg/ml showed comparable proton pump inhibitory effect with standard Omeprazole on goat gastric mucosal homogenate. The significant (P<0.01) increase in pH and duration of antacid were produced by EEFRL (500 mg and 1000 mg). EEFRL also exhibited free radical scavenging activity in DPPH, NO and LPO assays. The observations indicate that the F. racemosa latex may have beneficial effect in the treatment of gastric ulcer.