Phytochemical analysis of Ficus carica L. active compounds possessing anticonvulsant activity

The anticonvulsant potential of Ficus carica methanol-extract (Fc) has been studied. It was found that Fc most active fraction is rich in oligosaccharides (OFG). (1)H, (13)C NMR and Nano-ESI, MALDI MS, and LC-MS techniques proved that OFG contains alpha-glucopyranoside oligomer in high amounts. Both Fc and OFG reduced strychnine (STR) convulsion-action. Fc and OFG fully protected the experimental-animals from STR-lethality. The intracerebroventricular-administration (ICV) of Fc or OFG in combination with glycine in ethanol-treated mice caused a dose-dependent returning to a 2nd-loss of righting-reflex (LORR), and was antagonized by STR. FC and OFG ICV injection counteracted STR-inhibition, confirming that Fc/OFG anticonvulsant mechanism of action was mediated by potentiation of glycine receptor. These results support Fc and OFG potential anticonvulsant-activity with good safety-profile.