Phytochemical analysis, assessment of acute and subacute toxicological profile of the ethanolic extract of Ficus elastica Roxb. Ex Hornem (Moraceae) lianas in experimental Wistar rats

Ficus elastica Roxb. Ex Hornem, also called Rubber fig tree is a plant of the Moraceae family widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments including allergies and skin infections, as well as a diuretic agent. This study points out the acute and sub-acute toxicological profile of the ethanolic extract of Ficus elastica lianas. The plant material was collected, dried, ground and soaked in ethanol. After filtering, the filtrated were dried and the dried material was stored in the shade prior to analysis. The phytochemical screening was done according to Harbone methods. Acute and sub-acute toxicity tests were performed according to an amended Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines 423 and 407 respectively on Wistar rats. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols and tannins. The single oral administration of the extract did not induce an abnormal variation of the physiological and behavioural parameters in rats, at the doses of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight after 14 days of observation. Also, the extract showed a good safety profile after 28 days of repeated dosing of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight. No deaths were recorded and biochemical, hematological, and physiological parameters analyses revealed a non-significant statistical difference as compared to control. In addition, histological studies indicated that all tested doses induced no damage to liver, kidney, heart or lung whether in male or female animals. Therefore, the use of the ethanolic extract of Ficus elastica lianas as herbal remedy at tested doses is not associated with any toxic effects thus, justify its traditional use.