## 1 Introduction  
Physiological phenomena, such as respiration, metabolism and immune system defense mechanisms, are important for the proper functioning of living organisms through which reactive oxygen species (ROS) are released. Their increased production could lead to disruption of redox signaling, molecular damage, mutations, cell death, and oxidative damage to macromolecules, such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. This damage could result in many diseases, including age-related disorders, cancer, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases [1]. Moreover, ROS maintains inflammation by inducing the expression of genes that code for proteins involved in the production of inflammatory mediators [2, 3]. Inflammation is a dynamic physiological process of defense, consisting of a set of vascular, cellular, and humoral reactions to eliminate the aggressor agent, cleanse cellular debris, repair damaged tissue, and restore homeostasis. This acute inflammation is manifested by redness, heat, pain, and swelling of the infected area. However, when it persists, it can lead to multiple general biological and clinical effects as altered general condition, combining asthenia, anorexia, fever, sleep disturbance, and cachexia with muscle wasting [4]. In addition, inflammation can be associated with changes in the three-dimensional structure of proteins following exposure to heat or chemicals. This leads to an activation of neutrophils and an overproduction of lysosomal constituents, such as bactericidal enzymes and proteases [5; 6]. One of the most appropriate models for studying anti-inflammatory activities in vivo is that of oedema induction with carrageenan. Carrageenan induces acute and local inflammation characterized by an increase in the level of oxidative stress markers (neutrophil-derived free radicals and nitric oxide), proinflammatory mediators (histamine, prostaglandandins etc., and proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines) in the body [7]. Overproduction of these mediators is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, alcoholic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, cancer, and aging [8]. Enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems are part of the multiple mechanisms of the human body involved in protection from cellular damage due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) [9]. However, the innate defense may fail in the face of prolonged oxidative stress. In addition, conventional therapies recommend the uses of analgesic drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (SAIDs), and opioids. However, the side effects caused by long-term use of antioxidants [butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxyltoluene (BHT)] and synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs (Aspirin, sodium diclofenac, indomethacin, Paracetamol) motivate the scientific community to search for alternative therapeutic solutions [10]. Natural antioxidants are particularly important because they are harmless, low cost and abundant in many plant sources [11]. Thus, medicinal plants are increasingly exploited for this purpose because most of the pharmacological substances and active compounds used to combat the above-mentioned diseases and to produce medicines are of natural origin. They do so through their ability to inhibit the formation of free radicals. Equally, several scientific works have highlighted the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of extracts and pure compounds (phenolics, flavonoids, such as cynaroside) isolated from medicinal plants, such as _Libidibia ferrea, Curcumin longa; Spirulina plantensis, Camelia sinensis Elsholtzia bodinieri_[12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17], and some _Ficus_ species [18; 19]. _F. umbellata_ Vahl (Moraceae) is a plant used in Cameroonian pharmacopoeia in the management of certain physiological disorders related to menopause [20]. Previous studies have revealed that _F.