Research reportStandardized extract of Ficus platyphylla reverses apomorphine-induced changes in prepulse inhibition and locomotor activity in rats

•Ficus platyphylla stem bark extract (FP) is used in traditional African medicine.•We tested FP on apomorphine-induced behavioral changes in rats.•FP reversed apomorphine-induced deficits in prepulse inhibition.•FP reduced locomotor activity and apomorphine-induced hyperactivity.•FP inhibited the retrieval of a conditioned avoidance reaction.•Thus, FP contains psychoactive principles with potential antipsychotic properties.

Preparations of Ficus platyphylla are used in Nigeria's folk medicine to manage a plethora of diseases including, insomnia, psychoses, depression, epilepsy, pain and inflammation. In this study, we examined the effects of the standardized methanol extract of F. platyphylla stem bark (FP) on apomorphine-induced changes in prepulse inhibition and locomotor activity in rats, as well as on the retrieval of a conditioned reaction in one-way active avoidance in mice. FP did not affect basal prepulse inhibition, but significantly reduced locomotor activity. The apomorphine-induced prepulse inhibition deficit and hyperactivity were significantly reversed by co-administration of clozapine or FP. Furthermore, FP inhibited the retrieval of a conditioned avoidance reaction. Our results revealed that FP contains psychoactive ingredients with neuroleptic-like properties, thus supporting the isolation and development of the biologically active components of this medicinal plant as antipsychotic agents.

Graphical abstractThe effects of the standardized extract of Ficus platyphylla (FP) were studied on apomorphine-induced changes in prepulse inhibition and locomotor activity in rats, and retrieval of a conditioned avoidance response in mice to complement our existing knowledge on the antipsychotic potential of FP. Our data indicate that FP contain psychoactive principles with neuroleptic-like properties.Download high-res image (238KB)Download full-size image