Ficus patyphylla STEM BARK EXTRACT REVERSES KETAMINE-INDUCED SCHIZOPHRENIC–LIKE BEHAVIORS IN RATS VIA MODULATION OF CHOLINERGIC, NITRERGIC AND OXIDATIVE PATHWAYS
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT April 23, 2025
In a rat model of schizophrenia induced by ketamine, a methanol extract of Ficus platyphylla (FP) alone or combined with risperidone reversed behavioral changes in forced swim, open field, and new object identification tests. FP also reduced brain acetylcholinesterase activity and nitrite and malondialdehyde levels while increasing glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities. Molecular docking predicted that FP's bioactive compounds bind to dopamine, serotonin, metabotropic glutamate receptors, and phosphodiesterases—targets for schizophrenia pharmacotherapy. The findings suggest that FP modulates cholinergic, nitrergic, and oxidative pathways and that co-administration with risperidone may enhance the drug's effects on cognitive, negative, and positive schizophrenia-like symptoms.