Assessment of Bark of Ficus platyphylla on NMU-Induced Broad-spectrum Toxicity in Mus musculus (Albino mice)

Ficus platyphylla is a medicinal plant widely used in West African folk medicine for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, fevers and bacterial infection. This study evaluated the protective effects of Ficus platyphylla extract against N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU)-induced toxicity in mice. 25 female mice between 19g and 25g were divided into five groups (A-E) based on body weight. All mice were initially pretreated with NMU, and then subjected to treatments of 200 mg kg-1 and 100 mg kg-1 of the extract, cisplatin, NMU only, and distilled water respectively over twelve weeks. Upon completion of the treatment, animals were euthanized via cervical dislocation. Their liver, kidney, breast, heart, and femur were harvested for analysis. Results showed that the 200 mg kg-1 plant extract treatment exhibited significant increased body weight and showed significant decreased AST, ALT, and ALP. Antioxidants analysis revealed significantly increased SOD for 100 mg kg-1. Haematological analysis showed decreased monocytes at 100 mg kg-1. Breast tissue assessment revealed significantly increased GSH and GPx at 200 mg kg-1. Histology showed that higher doses preserved structural integrity in breast and liver tissues despite NMU-induced challenges. Bone marrow analysis showed a significant increase in polymorphic nuclei (PM) at 200 mg kg-1. At 100 mg kg-1 there was significant increase in counts of segmented nuclei (SM), kidney-shaped nuclei (KN), and blebbed nuclei (BLN) compared to Control. The significant decrease in AST, ALT, and ALP generally implies improved liver health or reduced liver damage. Significantly increased GPx and GSH may suggest lipid peroxidation inhibition, thereby reducing oxidative stress risks, and improving overall health. Decreased monocytes suggest a modulation of immune response. Lesser PM frequency in extract groups compared with NMU group, suggest decrease in genetic imbalance. Decreased SM, KN, and BLN counts in mice treated with the extract in comparison with NMU group may depict an improvement in tubulin function, reduction of mitotic errors, and decreased structural chromosomal abnormalities, suggesting that extract may possess components that counteract cytotoxicity. This study inferred that the extract effectively offered protection against NMU induced toxicity.