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Objective: Ficus benghalensis Linn. (Moraceae family) is commonly known as banyan tree in English, which is used traditionally in India. The literature survey showed that the aerial roots of this plant are yet to be explored. Our main interest is to evaluate its pharmacognostic and phytochemical character by the standard monograph and to explore its in vitro antioxidant and in vivo analgesic activity study with ethyl acetate extract.Methods: Pharmacognostic evaluation and phytochemical screening have been done using standard monograph. An in vitro antioxidant activity using ethyl acetate extract has been done using four different methods. In vivo analgesic activity of the ethyl acetate extract has been evaluated by acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice and tail flick method.Results: Aerial roots of F. benghalensis have been found the rich source of steroidal glycosides, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, tri-terpenoids, and phenols. The presence of phellem, phellogen, xylem, and phloem has been found after microscopic investigation. All the pharmacognostic parameters proved its purity. Results showed the absence of heavy metals. The ethyl acetate extract has shown potent antioxidant activity at 100 μg/ml concentration and higher analgesic activity at the concentration of 400 mg/kg than 200 mg/kg.Conclusion: Pharmacognostic characteristics and phytochemical properties revealed in this study could be used for the pharmacopoeial standard. Ethyl acetate extract showed potent antioxidant and analgesic activity.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the immune system where pro.inflammatory mediators produce inflammation, swelling, and pain in joints and muscles. Continuous progression may cause damage to articular cartilages, joint tissue, and decaying of bones, which may ultimately lead to disability or mortality. Prevention of the progression of rheumatoid arthritis is a severe challenge for the medical system and scientific community. The present pharmaceutical intervention comprises NSAIDS, steroids, and disease-modifying anti-arthritic drugs (DMARDs). Medical interventions, like surgery and knee replacement, are also available. These synthetic drugs are accompanied by several adverse effects ranging from acute to chronic ones. The use of natural products is an important alternative for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Plants, microbes, and other natural sources involve vital bioactive molecules, which are being employed in the treatment of several diseases. Plant-derived bioactive molecules, like boswellic acid, acetyl-β-boswellic acid, guggulsterone, curcuminoids, etc., are promising components, serving as a therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. These bioactive molecules have been evaluated for their effects on rheumatoid arthritis using different screening methods, and they have shown prospective results. Many plant extracts have been used to halt the disease progression, and promising results have been recorded. Bioactive molecules produced by microorganisms are potential candidates to be used in rheumatoid arthritis, and few microorganisms could be used directly as probiotics to combat the altered immune system. These microbes secrete numerous chemicals into the gut of the host, which are responsible for inhibiting the pro-inflammatory mediators, and helping to prevent the disease.

Ficus benghalensis L. is a traditional heritage tree available in Indian subcontinent and used traditionally for ailment of several diseases. Present study designed to purify and characterize the bioactive moiety (s) from the aerial root part of the plant, and assessment of the role of extract as well as purified molecules in the prevention of inflammation. Aerial root portion of the plant was first extracted using methanol as solvent, and further fractionated with n-hexane and ethyl acetate. α amyrin acetate (S1) was purified from the n-hexane and ethyl acetate fraction, and stigmasterol (S2), first time purified from the plant using from the ethyl acetate fraction using column chromatography. Extract, purified α-amyrin acetate and stigmasterol were checked for their anti-inflammatory property using Carrageenan induced paw oedema model on rat. Extract at a dose 400 mg/kg, α-amyrin acetate and stigmasterol both at 100 mg /kg dose significantly reduce the inflammation near to normal. After 3 hrs the paw volume was inhibited 25%, 47.5%, 42.5%, 45%, 62.5% by EA extract of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, stigmasterol 100mg/kg, α- amyrin acetate 100 mg/kg and standard Indomethacin, respectively. The finding of present study revealed the prospective anti-inflammatory property of α-amyrin acetate, stigmasterol and extract of aerial root of Ficus benghalensis L.

Present study was focused on the isolation and characterization of the anti-inflammatory compound(s) from the methanolic extracts of Arisaema tortuosum tuber by column chromatography, TLC, FT-IR, 1H, 13C NMR and HR-MS. Among all the fractions obtained A. tortuosum fraction 3 (PC-1) and fraction 5 (PC-2) showed significant in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. This study endorsed that the isolated bioactive compound PC-2 showed better anti-inflammatory activity at a dose of 25 mg/Kg BW. The results indicate that PC-2 and PC-1 methanolic extract of A. tortuosum tuber may be competing for the tent in the therapy of inflammatory ailments.