INTRODUCTION:

Ficus exasperata

Life : embryopyta

Plants : angiosperms

Flowering plants: eudiocotyledons

Order: rosales

Family: moraceae

Genus: ficus

Subgenus: sycidiumFicus is the largest genus in the family of moraceae with 800 species occurring in the warmer parts of the world, chiefly in indomalya and Polynesia.

Nigerian forests are replete with over 45 different species of ficus (keay and Onochie,1964). Some of them are ficus goliath, ficusingens and ficuselastica. They are found in the savanna, rainforest, beside rivers and streams. These are about 20 species of Ogun state of Nigeria out of which 7 are indigenous to Ago-Iwoye (keay and Onuchie,1964).

Vernicular names

Forest sandpaper fig, forest sandpaper tree, sandpaper tree, sandpaper leaf tree, white fig tree (En). Papier de verre (Fr). Msasa, mkuyu (Sw),ewe ipin(Yoruba), opoto(calabar), Anwulinwa(Igbo)

Origin and geographic distribution

Ficusexasperata is widely distributed in tropical Africa, from Senegal eastward to Ethiopia and Djibouti and southward to Mozambique and Angola. It also occurs in Yemen, India and Sri Lanka.

Ethnobotanical Uses

The rough leaves are widely used as sandpaper for polishing wooden, metal or ivory articles, such as kitchen utensils, gourds, sticks, bows, spear shafts, chairs, boards and bracelets.

The wood is used for making canoes, house posts, furniture, stools, utensils, containers and drums, and is also used as fuel wood and for making charcoal. Young branches are used for making pipe stems. Although the leaf is sometimes recorded to be poisonous to goats and sheep, it is often fed to ruminants, especially in Ghana; Abbiws (1990).

In Nigeria the fresh leaf is locally added to oil palm fruits in the milling or pounding stage, to improve the quality and stability of the oil obtained. Ficus exasperata has been planted as an avenue shade tree, and wild trees are sometimes maintained as a shade tree in banana, coffee or cocoa plantations; Shonibare MO et al (2003), Soforowa O (1986) and Verdcourt B (1998).

Medicinal uses

Ficusexasperata is widely used in African traditional medicine. Root decoctions are taken for the treatment of urinary tract ailments, gonorrhoea, asthma and tuberculosis Ndukwe KC et al (2005), Nimenibo-uadua(2003) and Palambo EA (2006). The root is chewed in case of cough. The root bark is used against eye problems. The body is rubbed with root scrapings as a tonic. In Ghana the root is an ingredient in a prescription to expel worms. Wood ash or charcoal is applied on lesions caused by leprosy. Sap from the stem bark is used for the treatment of wounds, sores, abscesses, eye ailments, stomach-ache and for the removal of spines, but some traditional healers consider it corrosive to the skin and dangerous to ingest. The ash of burnt stem bark is sprinkled on wounds. Decoctions of the bark are taken against worms, haemorrhoids and abnormal enlargement of the spleen. They are also used as ingredients in the treatment of heart problems. A tisane or decoction of the bark is taken to relieve cough. A cold bark extract is drunk in case of dizziness. A maceration of the bark with Sennaoccidentalis (L.) Link and Setariamegaphylla (Steud.) T.DurandandSchinz is taken to facilitate childbirth or to heal gonorrhoea. Sap from the bark is used to halt bleeding. Scrapings from the bark are made into an embrocation with stimulant and tonic properties. The stem bark is locally applied on the body for the treatment of malaria. A maceration of the young shoot is drunk as an emetic; Hassan SSet al (2009) and Katende AB et al (1995). A decoction of the leafy shoot is taken for the treatment of dysentery. The leafy shoot is used in preparations applied externally against jaundice or drunk as a diuretic. Leaf pulp or sap is externally applied for the treatment of rash, wounds, leprous sores, fungal infections, itching, oedema, ringworm, rheumatism, and lumbar and intercostal pain. The powder of the dried leaf is sprinkled on burns. The young leaf is chewed and swallowed in case of gastric ulcers. The leaf juice or a decoction of the leaf is applied as an enema for the treatment of stomach-ache, and as an antidote to poison. Decoctions of fresh or dried leaves are taken for the treatment of diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract. Leaves cooked with bananas are eaten for the treatment of gonorrhoea; the cooking water is drunk for the same purpose. In Nigeria a decoction or maceration of the leaf is taken to lower blood pressure, and the fresh leaf is used as an ingredient of preparations for the treatment of heart diseases. Leaf preparations are taken for the treatment of cough, colds, flu and asthma, and they are a mouthwash against thrush, inflammation of the gums and other mouth and throat ailments. The head is rubbed with warmed leaves for the treatment of headache; tumours are also rubbed with warmed leaves. In case of severe headache, the patient’s head is washed with a decoction of the leaf. The leaf pulp diluted in water is credited with analgesic properties and applied for the treatment of eye ailments; water in which a leaf has been shaken is used similarly. A maceration of the leaf is taken as an oxytocic, while a decoction or infusion of the leaf is drunk as an abortifacient. The abrasive leaf surface is used to scarify the skin to promote penetration of medicines, and to scour the tongue and throat for the treatment of mouth and throat ailments. The leaf is also used to scratch itching parts of the body and is ingested for mechanical treatment of diarrhoea and intestinal worms. The fruit is eaten against cough and venereal diseases. Powder of the dried fruit is added to porridge for the treatment of sterility in women. Water with seed powder is drunk as a tonic in case of fever Acharya et al (2008) and Adebayo (2009a).

In veterinary medicine a decoction of the bark is given to cows to hasten expulsion of the afterbirth. The stem bark and the leaf are ingredients of arrow-poisons. In Nigeria a maceration of the leaf is sprayed on crops against insect attack.

Properties
Although the leaves are widely used as sandpaper, they are not as abrasive and strong as commercial sandpaper. Reports on the wood properties are contradictory. The fibre length of wood from Nigeria is 1.5–2.2 mm, with a diameter of 21.5–23.5 μm, a lumen diameter of 11–13 μm and a cell wall thickness of 4–7 μm. The inclusion of Ficusexasperata leaves in the processing of oil palm resulted in better stabilization of the oil in Nigeria. The anti-oxidant activities were enhanced whereas saponins, where present, were eliminated and sterols reduced.
Aqueous extracts of the leaf showed in-vivo gastrointestinal protective effects, diuretic activity and lipid-lowering effects in rats, and hypotensive effects in rabbits. At higher concentrations they stimulated contractions of the isolated rat uterus, whereas at lower concentrations they inhibited oxytocin-induced uterine contractions. An ethansolic extract of the leaf showed in-vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity and weak antipyretic activity in mice, chicks and rats, respectively. Methanolic plant extracts have shown in-vitro antitumour activity and inhibition against trypsin activity. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaf did not show any toxicity in various bioassays. Aqueous and methanolic extracts were inactive against several gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. A compound with nematicidal activity, 5-methoxysporalen, has been isolated from the leaf. The content was six times higher in young leaves than in mature leaves.

It is also used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, haemostativeopthalamia and coughs.

Description

Small to medium sized tree, stem without aerial roots, sometimes buttressed in very large specimens; bark grey to whitish, smooth with a watery sometimes amber coloured sap, leaves alternate, stiff and leathers ovate - ellipticus, up to 14 -75cm larger and broader in deeply shaped specimen, its veined from the base mid green above, pale and with conspicuous yellow veining below, very rough to the touch on both surfaces; figs singly in pairs, pedunculate on the wood of last year’s bare branches, its depressed spherically with the surface rough to the touch orange red when ripe. Note before derivation of specific name: exasperata; rough, covered with short hard points.

Growth and development

The fig is not a fruit but a fruit-like structure (syconium) developed from an inside-out flower stalk containing many flowers inside. Ficusexasperata trees are either female, with inflorescences bearing long-styled female flowers, or hermaphrodite, with inflorescences bearing male and short-styled female flowers (gall flowers). The hermaphrodite trees are functionally male, because sthe contents of their pollinated ovaries are consumed by wasp larvae, and they do not produce seeds. Ficusexasperata is pollinated by the wasp Kradibiagestroi, which lays eggs in the short-styled female flowers, but cannot lay eggs in the long-styled flowers of the female trees. Fruiting is usually in the dry season, in Ghana in December–March.

Ecology
Ficusexasperata occurs from sea level up to 2300 m altitude in forest, often at edges, in secondary vegetation, in rocky places and along rivers, sometimes persisting in cleared land. It is also found in abandoned fields and along roads.

Propagation and planting

Ficusexasperata can be propagated by seed and cuttings. Wildlings are also used.

Management
After having been cut, trees regenerate through sprouting from the stump.

Genetic resources

In view of its wide distribution, occurrence in secondary vegetation and ability to persist in cleared land, Ficusexasperata seems not threatened by genetic erosion. However, local over-exploitation has been recorded, for instance in central Uganda, where wild trees are logged for making drums and on-farm planting of the tree is recommended.

Prospects
Ficusexasperata is widely used as local source of sandpaper and as a medicinal plant. Its role as a source of sandpaper is unlikely to go beyond local use, because of the availability of commercial sandpaper, which is more abrasive and stronger. However, the plant may become more important as a source of medicine, as various extracts have shown anti-ulcer, hypotensive, lipid-lowering, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity; Buniyamin AA et al (2007) and Gbile ZO et al (1993).

MATERIALS AND METHOD:

DRUGS AND CHEMICALS

Loperamide

Atropine

Charcoalmeal

Castor oil

Ethanol

MATERIALS

Miller (Thomas Laboratory Mill, U.K)

Mechanical Weighing Balance (Ohaus, Poland)

Electronic Weighing Balance (Gulfes Mediqal and Scientific, England)

Filter Paper (No. 1 Whatman)

White Clean Handkerchief (as porcelin cloth)

Rotary Evaporator (Fulton, china)

Oven (Harris, England)

Mechanical shaker (Surgifrend, England)

Beaker (10ml, 25ml, 50ml, 500ml capacities)

Cotton wool

Hand gloves

Brewer’s Yeast

Syringes and Needle (1ml, 2ml, 5ml)

COLLECTION AND IDENTIFICATION

Young fresh leaves of Ficus exasperata were got from Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government area of Anambra State in July 2011, during the rainy season and was identified by Dr. Ezugwu, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

EXTRACTION

Fresh leaves of Ficus exasperata were dried in ambient temperature until the weight which was measured at intervals was about the same. The dried leaves were pulverized using laboratory miller, 250g of the powder was macerated in 500ml of ethanol in a beaker which was placed on a mechanical shaker for 48 hours. The extract was filtered using clean white handkerchief, then the filtrate was further filtered using No.1 Whatman filter paper. The filtrate was concentrated using rotary evaporator. The extract was stored in the refrigerator for future use.

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING

Using the methods of Odebiyi and Soforowa (1978) , Harbourne (1984) and Evans (2002), preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant extract was carried out to confirm the presence of secondary metabolites.

Test For Alkaloids

20mls of 5% sulphuric acid in 50% ethanol was added to about 2g of the methanolic extract and heated on a boiling water bath for 10minutes,cooled and filtered. 2ml of the filtrate was tested with a few drops of Mayer’s, Dragendroff’s, Wagner’s reagent and 1% picric acid. The remaining filtrate was placed in 100ml separating funnel and made alkaline with dilute ammonia solution. The aqueous alkaline solution was separated and extracted with two 5ml portion of dilute sulphuric acid. The Mayer’s, Dragendroff’s, Wagner’s and picric acid respectively. The extract gave milky, brick red, reddish brown and yellow precipitate with one drop each of the reagents and therefore showing the presence of alkaloid.

Test For Glycosides

Fehling’s Test

About 5ml of a mixture of equal part of Fehling’s solution of the extract, dissolved in water and then heated or a water bath for few five minutes. A brick red precipitate shows the presence of glycosides.

Hydrolysis Test

About 5ml dilute sulphuric acid were added to about 0.1g of leave extract in a test tube and boiled for 15 minutes in a water bath, then cooled and neutralized with 20% potassium hydroxide solution. 10ml of a mixture of equal parts of Fehling’s solution 1 and 2 were added and boiled for 15minutes. A brick red precipitate indicates the presence of glycosides.

Test For Saponin

About 20ml of water was added to 0.25g of the methanolic extract of the leave in 100ml beaker and boiled gently on a water bath for two minutes. The mixture was filtered hot and allowed to cool and the filtrates used for the following tests.

Frothing Test

About 5ml of the filtrate was diluted with 20ml of water and shaken vigorously. A stable froth upon standing indicates the presence of saponins.

Emulsion Test

To the frothing solution was added two drops of olive oil and the content shaken vigorously. The formation of emulsion indicates the presence of saponins.

Fehling’s Test

To 5ml of the filtrate was added 5ml of Fehling’s solution (equal parts of 1 and 2) and the mixture heated. A reddish precipitate indicated the presence of saponins further heating with sulphuric acid produce a brick red precipitate.

Test For Tannins

About 0.5g of the extract was boiled with 25ml of water, filtered and used for the following test.

Ferric Chloride Test

To 3ml of the filtrate was added few drops of ferric chloride solution. A greenish black precipitate indicates the presence of tannins

Lead Sub Acetate Test

Few drops of lead sub acetate were added to 3mls of the filtrate. A clean precipitate appearing would interfere with the presence of tannins.

Test For Flavonoids

5ml of ethyl acetate were added to 0.1g of the extract and heated on a water bath for 3 minutes. The mixture was cooled, filtered and the filtrate used for the following test.

Ammonium Test

About 2ml of the filterate was shaken with 1ml of dilute ammonia solution. The layer were allowed to separate and the yellow colour in the ammoniacal layer indicates the presence of flavonoids.

Test For Resins

The plant extract was dissolved in 3ml acetone and 3ml concentrated hydrochloric acid was added. This mixture was heated in a water bath for 30 munites. A pink colour which changes to red indicates the presence of resins.

Test for steroids and triterpenoids

About 9 ml of ethanol was added to 1 g of the extract it was refluxed for a few minutes and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated on a boiling water bath. 5 ml of hot distilled water was added to the concentrated solution, the mixture was allowed to stand for 1 hour and the waxy matter was filtered off. The filtrate was extracted with 2.5 ml of chloroform using separating funnel. To 0.5 ml of the chloroform extract in a test tube was carefully added 1 ml of conc. H₂SO₄ to form a lower layer. A reddish brown interface shows the presence of steroids. 0.5 ml of the chloroform was evaporated to dryness on a water bath and heated with 3 ml of the concentrated sulphuric acid for 10 minute on a water bath. A grey color indicates the presence of terpenoids.

Animals

White albino rats (219-262.5) of either sex obtained from the animal house of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology of Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State were used for this study. All the animals were housed under standard environmental conditions while in the animal house and also had free access to food and water.

Pharmacological test

Acute toxicity test -The LD50 was carried out using the method employed by Lorke(1983).

It involves a total of 12 mice. This test was carried out in two phases. Phase 1 employed a total of 9 mice. They were grouped into 3 groups of 3mice per group. Group i received 10mg/kg of the extract. Group ii received 100mg/kg, while Group iii received 1000mg/kg. All the administration was by interperitoneal (i.p.) route. The animals were constantly monitored for the next 4 hrs, Then intermittently for the next 6hrs.Then over a period of 24hrs.The number of dead animals were noted. From the result got in the first phase, the second phase was carried out. In this phase, A total of 4mice were used. They were grouped into 4 groups of 1 moucee per group. Group 1 received 2000mg/kg of the extract, group II received 3000mg/kg, group III received 4000mg/kg, while group IV received 5000mg/kg. The animals were monitored for another 24hrs for any death.

STATISICAL ANALYSIS

Results were expressed as mean ±S.E.M. The data were analyzed using one way analysis of variance followed by dunnett’s post hoc test. Results are considered slightly significant when (P<0.005) and extremely significant (p<0.001).

ANTIDIARRHOEA ACTIVITY

Groups of three rats each received the following treatment as outlined:

Group 1-0.5ml - distilled water

Group 2-2mg - loperamide

Group 3-50mg/kg - extract

Group 4-100mg/kg - extract

Group 5-200mg/kg - extract

This test was carried out using the method employed by Adeyemi and Akindele(2008) and AOAC (1984/1975) using animal model. The animals were given treatment as outlined above, one hour after treatment, diarrhea was induced by single 1ml of castor oil was administered to each rat orally. The number of wet and solid faeces produced by the animals in each groups were counted from 1hr to the next 4hrs after diarrhea induction. The total weight of wet faeces and total weight of solid faeces were also determined after the 4^th hour. The % diarrhea inhibition was calculated using the relation 100-(x/y x 100). Where x= treated group 4^th hour no of wet faeces. y=negative control 4^th hour no. of wet faeces.

ANTISPASMODIC ACTIVITY

Groups of three rats each were treated as outlined:

Group 1-0.5ml of distilled water

Group 2-1mg of atropine intraperitoneally

Group 3-50mg/kg of extract

Group 4-100mg/kg of extract

Group 5-200mg/kg of extract

The animals were starved for 18hrs prior to this experiment. All the animals were given orally 1ml of 3% deactivated charcoal in the tragacanth mucilage. Immediately after the administration, the drugs were administered orally.30mins after administration, all the animals in each group were sacrificed, dissected and the intestine were cut out and the distance the charcoal travelled from the stomach to the ceacum were measured using meter rule and were expressed as percentage to the total length.

RESULTS:

Antispasmodic activity of the extract was carried out which was compared with standard drug using charcoal meal method. The extract was found to be effective in controlling intestinal motility and infact 1mg/kg atropine was as effective as 200mg/kg of the extract.

Summarizes the results obtained in the experimental model of castor oil-induced diarrhoea. The ethanolic extract of Ficus exasperata significantly (p<0.01) inhibited the frequency as well as the severity of the diarrhoea. On oral administration of castor oil and following the course of observation for 4hrs, all the rats in the control group (distilled water 0.5ml) produced copious diarrhoea.

Results of Antispasmodic Activity

Mean ± SEM

Group	Agent anddose	Distance traveled by clinical (cm)	Total length of the intestine (cm)	% distance traveled by charcoal
1	0.5 distilledH₂O	50±3.55	91.0±2.37	87.91
2	10mg/kg atropine	80.0±3.13	95±2.63	84.21
3	50mg/kg extract	68.7±4.70	113±2.63	60.79
4	100mg/kg extract	14.7±2.05	88.5±3.14	15.81
5	200mg/kg extract	70±1.52	83.0±3.14	84.33

Results for antidiarrhoea activity

Group

Dose and agent

No. of solid faeces

No. of wet faeces

Weight of solid faeces(g)

Weight of wet faeces(g)

Total weight of faeces(g)

% diarrhoea inhibition

1hr

2hrs

3hrs

4hrs

1hr

2hrs

3hrs

4hrs

0.5mg distilled H20

4.0±1.00

5.0±0.50

4.0±0.50

9±

1.00

11±0.50

12.0±1.00

0.61

5.36

5.92

5.31

5.92

2mg/kg loperamide

0.0±0.00

1.0±0.50

2.0. ±2.00

2.0.±

2.00

2.0. ±2.00

0.11

1.63

1.74

83.3

1.16

1.74

50mg/kg extract

1.0±0.50

1.0±1.00

Ns 5±

0.00

6.0±

0.50

8.0±

1.00

0.16

3.68

3.84

33.3

3.68

3.84

100mg/kg extract

1.0±0.50

Ns 3.0±1.50

Ns 1.0±1.00

3.0±

1.00

3.0±

1.00

3.0±

1.00

0.24

2.14

2.38

75.0

2.14

2.38

200mg/kg extract

0.0±0.00

0.0±0.0

1.0±0.50

3.0. ±0.00

3.0±

0.00

3.0±

0.00

0.13

1.80

1.93

75.0

1.80

1.93

Ns not significant (P>0.05)

* Slightly significant (p<0.05)

** Extremely significant (p>0.001)

For % inhibition = 100-(x/y ×100)

Where x=treated group 4^thhr no. of wet faeces

y= negative control group 4^thhr no. of wet faeces

Acute Toxicity (LD50)

Phase

Dose

Death

10mg/kg

100mg/kg

1000mg/kg

0/3

2000mg/kg

3000mg/kg

4000mg/kg

5000mg/kg

0/1

From the result of the LD50, the extract is well tolerated even at dose up to 5000mg/kg. So it is safe for acute administration.

DISCUSSION:

The ethanolic extract of Ficus exasperata significantly (p<0.01) inhibited the frequency as well as the severity of diarrhoea. Antispasmodic activity of the extract was carried out which was compared with standard drug using charcoal meal method. The extract was very effective in controlling intestinal motility and in fact 1mg/kg atropine was equivalent to 200mg/kg of the extract in effectiveness. From the result of the LD50, the extract was well tolerated even at dose up to 5000mg/kg. So it was safe for acute administration.

CONCLUSION:

The plant extract exhibited antidiarrheal and antispasmodic activity, hence its folklore use by the local community in Anambra State as antidiarrhoea and antispasmodic drug ; Ayinde BA et al (2007) and before EE et al (2009).

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Received on 19.03.2012 Accepted on 31.03.2012

Asian J. Res. Pharm. Sci. 2(1): Jan.-Mar. 2012; Page 26-32