Abstract
BackgroundFicus palmata (Fig), are distributed in different parts of the world, and are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments including inflammation, tumor, epilepsy, jaundice, influenza and bacillary dysentery. The present study aimed to evaluate the antidiarrheal, antisecretary, antispasmodic, antiulcer and anti motility properties of Ficus palmata.MethodsIn-vivo, in-vitro and in-silico techniques were used to investigate various gastrointestinal effects of Ficus palmata. Antidiarrheal, antisecretary, antispasmodic, antiulcer, anti motility and molecular docking were performed using castor oil induced diarrhea and fluid accumulation, isolated tissue preparations, ethanol-HCl induced ulcer assay, charcoal meal transit time and Auto Doc Vina.ResultsFicus palmata crude extract (Fp.Cr) exhibited protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice and dose-dependently inhibited intestinal fluid secretions. Fp.Cr caused relaxation of spontaneous and K+ (80 Mm)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum preparations. It showed protective effect against gastric ulcers induced by ethanol-hydrochloric acid in rats. Fp.Cr reduced distance travelled by charcoal meal in the gastrointestinal transit model in mice. The plant constituents: psoralenoside and bergapten showed high binding affinities (E-value ≥ − 6.5 Kcal/mol) against histaminergic H1, calmodulin and voltage gated L-type calcium channels, while showed moderate affinities (E-value ≥7 Kcal/mol) against dopaminergic D2, adrenergic α1, muscranic M3, mu-opioid, whereas revealed lower affinities (E-value ≥9.5 Kcal/mol) vs. muscranic M1, histaminergic H2 and H+/K+ ATPase pump. Germanicol acetate and psoralene exhibited weak affinities against aforementioned targets.ConclusionThis study reveals that Ficus palmata possesses anti-diarrheal, anti-secretory, anti-spasmodic, anti-motility and anti-ulcer activities. The various constituents reveal different binding affinities against target proteins, which mediate the gastrointestinal functions.
Highlights
Ficus palmata (Fig), are distributed in different parts of the world, and are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments including inflammation, tumor, epilepsy, jaundice, influenza and bacillary dysentery
Many chronic disorders have been successfully cured by phytotherapies by edible fruits being consumed as functional foods as well as their active constituents
Jaundice, influenza, whooping cough, tonsillitis, bronchitis, enteritis, bacillary dysentery, toothache and bruises are reported to be cured by Ficus extracts
Summary
Ficus palmata (Fig), are distributed in different parts of the world, and are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments including inflammation, tumor, epilepsy, jaundice, influenza and bacillary dysentery. Ficus palmata commonly known as ‘Fig’ and locally “Injeer” belongs to the family Moraceae that consists of about 800 species [5]. It is found in the Himalayan region, so named as Wild Himalayan Fig and is mainly the native of Northern areas of Pakistan. Variety of Ficus species are used in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and tonic medicament [7]. Diseases such as epilepsy, jaundice, influenza, whooping cough, tonsillitis, bronchitis, enteritis, bacillary dysentery, toothache and bruises are reported to be cured by Ficus extracts. Various pharmacological activities such as nephroprotective, hepatoprotective and anticoagulant activities are possessed by this plant [9]
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