Browsing by Author "Muthee, Eunice Wothaya"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Ficus Sycomorus: Ecological, Cultural, and Medicinal Insights into a Timeless Tree
    (A Multidisciplinary peer-reviewed Journal, 2025-02) Muthee, Eunice Wothaya; Ngugi, Mathew; Gitahi, Stephen
    Ficus sycomorus, commonly known as the sycamore fig, is a large deciduous tree native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. It plays a crucial ecological role in riparian zones, supporting biodiversity and preventing soil erosion. Historically, the tree has held significant cultural and spiritual importance, particularly in ancient Egypt and various African cultures, where it symbolizes fertility, protection, and nourishment. Medicinally, Ficus sycomorus has been utilized for centuries, with various parts of the tree—such as the fruit, leaves, bark, and latex—employed in the treatment of numerous ailments, including gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory issues, wounds, and diabetes. The medicinal properties of the tree are attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, which includes flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds, responsible for its antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activities. The anti-inflammatory effects of Ficus sycomorus, in particular, have been highlighted in scientific studies, demonstrating its potential in managing chronic inflammatory diseases through mechanisms such as the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, enzymes, and oxidative stress. Despite threats from habitat destruction, the tree's resilience and ongoing cultural and medicinal relevance underscore the importance of its conservation and further research. This paper explores the ecological, cultural, and medicinal significance of Ficus sycomorus, highlighting its multifaceted contributions to both nature and human well-being.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Phytochemical Profile and Assessment of in VivoAnti-Inflammatory Efficacy of Ficus sycomorus L. (Moraceae) Extracts in Mice
    (Scientifica, 2025-08) Gitahi, Stephen Maina; Muthee, Eunice Wothaya; Ngugi, Mathew Piero; Machocho, Alex Kingori
    Infammation helps the immune system identify and eliminate disease-causing and foreign stimuli and initiate the healingprocess. Nonsteroidal anti-infammatory drugs have been often used in treating infammation. Synthetic drugs have been as-sociated with severe efects, necessitating the need for alternative medicinal agents. Herbal remedies have comparatively fewer sideefects, are widely available, and are arguably afordable, which makes them more attractive therapeutic agents. Ficus sycomorus isutilized by Kenya’s Mbeere community to treat infammation. However, the science-based data to support their claim werelacking. Te purpose of this study was to ascertain whether methanol (MeOH) and dichloromethane (DCM) leaf and stem barkextracts of F. sycomorus have anti-infammatory qualities in mice. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) andliquidchromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) were used in phytochemical analysis of the extracts. In anti-infammatory assays,6–7-week-old mice were randomly grouped into six clusters with fve mice each. Group one mice were administered normalsaline. Groups of two to four mice were injected with carrageenan to induce infammation 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]). Teextracts were administered to the remaining groups at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bw. One-way analysis of variance was used to assessfor statistically signifcant diferences, followed by Tukey’s post hoc tests in case of statistical signifcance. Te signifcancethreshold was inferred at p < 0.05. Tis study revealed signifcant anti-edema efects of the extracts on carrageenan-induced pawinfammation in mice. Te GC–MS analysis identifed fatty acids, terpenoids, and terpenes, which have been associated with anti-edema efects. In conclusion, the fndings showed that the extracts have anti-edema efects and phytocompounds associated withthe efects. F. sycomorus extract is hence a novel candidate for developing efcacious anti-infammatory agents