Phytochemical screening and effect of aqueous extract of Ficus sycomorus L. (Moraceae) stem bark on muscular activity in laboratory animals.

The stembark of Ficus sycomorus was collected, dried and extracted to screen for some chemical constituents and study its effect on muscle contraction. The duodena and recti abdominis of 10 guinea pigs weighing between 330 and 34 g and 10 frogs weighing between 180 and 201 g, respectively were isolated and used for this study. The extract was tested to see its effect on acetylcholine-induced contraction on kymograph. The extract reduced the acetylcholine contractile responses of guinea pigs duodena and recti abdominis muscles of frogs significantly, thus showing inhibitory effect on muscle contraction. The extract showed the presence of gallic tannins, saponins, reducing sugars, alkaloids and flavone aglycones. It was concluded that the extract has inhibitory effect on both smooth and skeletal muscles contractions and contains important constituents for pharmacological activities.