Phytochemical Constituents, Acute Toxicity and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Methanol Extract of Ficus glumosa Leaves

Abstract

Background: Ficus glumosa parts have been previously used as food and in folklore medicine in several African countries. It therefore necessitated this study to scientifically substantiate the active ingredients that may be responsible for the efficacy of the plant and to know whether or not the consumption poses any deleterious effect on the cells. Objectives: This study investigated the presence of phytochemicals in Ficus glumosa leaves as well as its toxicity and free radical scavenging activity. Methods: The crude methanol leaves extract of Ficus glumosa was dissolved in distilled water and repeatedly partitioned using n-hexane, ethylacetate and n-butanol. The fractions obtained were concentrated and subjected to phytochemical, toxicological and free radical scavenging activity analyses. Results: Flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin and saponin were present in the crude methanol extract. The n-butanol fraction has higher concentrations of total phenol and flavonoid [9.76±0.63 (mg/100g) Gallic Acid Equivalent and 5.27±0.23 (mg/100g) Quercetin Equivalent respectively]. There was an increasing IC₅₀ value in the order of n-butanol fraction (0.41±0.07 mg/ml) < aqueous residue (0.71±0.05 mg/ml) < ethylacetate fraction (0.93±0.13 mg/ml) < n-hexane fraction (2.77±0.49 mg/ml). Consequently, no death was recorded at 10, 100, 1000, 1600, 2900 and 5000 mg/kg body weight respectively. The LD₅₀ of n-butanol fraction was taken to be >5000 mg/kg body weight. Conclusion: The findings suggested that the various fractions of the Ficus glumosa leaf extract contain useful phytochemicals and possess free radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, it was revealed that the methanol leaf extract of the plant demonstrated no cytotoxicity on the rats.    

Keywords: Phytochemical toxicity, free radicals, IC₅₀, antioxidant, Ficus glumosa