In Vitro Anti-Radical Study and Total Anti-oxidant Capacity of Chloroform Fruit Extract of Ficus sycomorus L. (Moraceae)

Abstract

Research findings implicate free radicals particularly reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) in the etiology of human degenerative  diseases such as arthritis, inflammations, atherosclerosis, diabetics, central nervous system injury, ageing, cancer and others. The objective of this study  was to conduct quantitative phytochemistry, in vitro anti-radical, and antioxidant activities of chloroform fruit extract of Ficus sycomorus L sourced from  Kano, north-western Nigeria. Using standard procedures, the extract was measured for phytochemicals quantitatively. The extract was investigated for  antioxidant activity using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, reducing power assay, total antioxidant capacity (TAC)  (phosphormolybdenum assay), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) scavenging assay. Results obtained indicate that alkaloids had the highest quantity,  followed by phenols, tannins, and flavonoids. The result of in vitro DPPH radical scavenging activity of the Ficus sycomorus chloroform fruit extract  showed increase in antioxidant activity with an increase in concentration with SC₅₀ value of 71.94µg/mL. However, the radical scavenging property of the  extract was comparably many folds lower than the standard ascorbic acid (SC₅₀ 4.81μg/mL). Reducing power (IC₅₀ 51.99 µg/mL), TAC (IC₅₀ 44.94µg/mL),  and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 117.6µg/mL) showed an increase in percentage inhibition and radical scavenging in dosedependent  pattern. The fruit extract exhibited anti-radicals and antioxidant property due to the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids and other conjugated  metabolites and it may be important in diseases involving oxidative stress such as age related cancers, stroke, inflammatory disorders, and   cardiovascular diseases.