A pharmacological audit and advancement on the recent trend of research on Ficus benghalensis L. including its in vitro hepatoprotective activity

Abstract

Background Trend analysis, graphical representation, and summarization of pharmacological research trends were carried out to act as guidance for the future. The main objectives of the research are to find out the complete research trend on the national tree of India so far and to validate its traditional uses along with the pharmacological hepatoprotective activity of Ficus benghalensis L. by developing three in vitro experimental models. Methods The fruit of the said plant (F. benghalensis) was extracted with different solvent (petrochemical ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, water) system and the yield value was determined. Phytochemical screening was also done with a different solvent. In an in-vitro study, the liver of freshly slaughtered goat (Capra Capra) was used for various investigational tests, and the hepatotoxicity was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) at a dose of 2 ml/kg, Acetaminophen at a dose of 7 g/kg, and with Erythromycin at a dose of 1.4 g/kg. The ethanol extract of fruits of F. benghalensis at the doses of 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg were used to observe its hepatoprotective effect against drug/chemical-induced in vitro hepatotoxicity as the model developed here with against a standard molecule, Silymarin. Results Amongst all solvents, ethanol was considered to be a universal solvent and resulted in a yield of 2.96%, which is maximum. Phytochemical screening of ethanol extract of fruit also showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and glycosides. The protein concentration of liver homogenate based on comparison with standard protein concentration was found to be 1.6 mg/mL as measured at λmax of 750 nm. About the protein concentration, catalase (enzymatic) activity was also measured using the standard curve of H2O2, to calculate the specific activity of different models to compare the study results. Conclusion The significant effect of the reduction of hepatotoxicity was found at a dose of 500 mg/kg of fruit extract against Silymarin. Evaluation of Hepatoprotective activity of fruit in terms of catalase activity with different models flourishing the new research scope to fulfill the shortage of availability of a new, efficient, safe hepatoprotective agent in upcoming days. Graphical abstract

Immunostimulant Activity of Marchantia paleacea Bertol. Herb Liverwort Ethanol Extract in BALB/c Mice

“…The yield of viscous extract with a fixed weight obtained was 2.64% (w/w). The ethanol solvent used is a conventional organic solvent and has been considered a universal solvent in extracting various polar to less polar compounds (Karmakar, et al, 2020;Oomen, et al, 2020). The ethanol extract of liverworts obtained was in the form of thick gum with blackish green color and a characteristic aromatic odor.…”

Phytochemical Screening, GCMS Profiling, In Vitro Antioxidant, In Vivo Acute Toxicity, and Hepatoprotective Activity of Cleome simplicifolia Bioactive Metabolites against Paracetamol-Intoxicated Wister Albino Rats

“…In total, 1 mL of 10% NaOH was mixed with the tested leaf extracts and heated. Further, upon adding a few drops of 7% CuSO 4 solution to the preheated solution, a purplish-violet color appeared, that implies presence of protein [26].…”

“…Ammonia (10%) was added to the remaining solution (in 1/2 volume of the benzene layer taken out). The appearance of a specific color (pink, red, or violet) at the ammoniacal phase indicated anthraquinone glycosides positivity [26].…”

Ficus benghalensis—A comprehensive review on pharmacological research, nanotechnological applications, and patents

“…So, to ensure the proper functioning of the body, it is very important to protect it from different toxic substances acquired via contaminated food, water, synthetic medicines/drugs, and other factors. The hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic fruit extract was evaluated against acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ), and erythromycin-induced hepatotoxicity in goat liver, and effective results were obtained which could be attributed to its ability of free radical scavenging or restoring catalase (antioxidant enzyme) of the liver, compared to the standard drug, Silymarin (Karmakar et al, 2020). A similar in-vivo study on ethanolic fruit extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg p.o.…”