ABSTRACT:
Ficus benghalensis fruit (Moraceae) is a medicinal plant used in the treatment of many clinical conditions in India. Its anti-stress activity has been investigated in this study using albino mice and rats. The methanolic extract of Ficus benghalensis fruit was prepared and subjected to preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening. Flavanoids, Tannins and Alkaloids were found to be present. Acute toxicity studies were carried out in albino mice. The methanolic extract did not show the lethal effect at a dose of 2000mg/kg body weight with no signs of abnormalities or any mortality observed for 14 days period. Anoxia stress tolerance test, Swimmingendurance test, Immobilisation stress models were used to investigate the anti-stress potential of title plant. The results indicate that pretreatment with methanolic extract of fruit of Ficus benghalensis exhibited significant anti-stress activity at the tested doses of 125mg/ kg and 250 mg/ kg 500 mg/kg. On the basis of results, it was concluded that Ficus benghalensis fruit possess anti-stress activity.