Phytochemical Profile and Assessment of In Vivo Anti‐Inflammatory Efficacy of <i>Ficus sycomorus</i> L. (Moraceae) Extracts in Mice

Inflammation helps the immune system identify and eliminate disease-causing and foreign stimuli and initiate the healing process. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been often used in treating inflammation. Synthetic drugs have been associated with severe effects, necessitating the need for alternative medicinal agents. Herbal remedies have comparatively fewer side effects, are widely available, and are arguably affordable, which makes them more attractive therapeutic agents. <i>Ficus sycomorus</i> is utilized by Kenya's <i>Mbeere</i> community to treat inflammation. However, the science-based data to support their claim were lacking. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether methanol (MeOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) leaf and stem bark extracts of <i>F</i>. <i>sycomorus</i> have anti-inflammatory qualities in mice. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) andliquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used in phytochemical analysis of the extracts. In anti-inflammatory assays, 6-7-week-old mice were randomly grouped into six clusters with five mice each. Group one mice were administered normal saline. Groups of two to four mice were injected with carrageenan to induce inflammation and then received various treatments. Group two mice received the vehicle (normal saline), while group three mice received diclofenac (15 mg/kg body weight [bw]). The extracts were administered to the remaining groups at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bw. One-way analysis of variance was used to assess for statistically significant differences, followed by Tukey's post hoc tests in case of statistical significance. The significance threshold was inferred at <i>p</i> < 0.05. This study revealed significant anti-edema effects of the extracts on carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in mice. The GC-MS analysis identified fatty acids, terpenoids, and terpenes, which have been associated with anti-edema effects. In conclusion, the findings showed that the extracts have anti-edema effects and phytocompounds associated with the effects. <i>F. sycomorus</i> extract is hence a novel candidate for developing efficacious anti-inflammatory agents.