Assessment of pharmacological properties of root extracts from Ficus capensis

Abstract

Evaluation of pharmacological properties of root extracts from fig tree was conducted using different organic solvents in the extraction process. Six (6) samples were prepared for experimental assessment of their cytotoxicity, brine shrimp lethality, antioxidant, total-antioxidant and antibacterial activities using conventional methods with slight modifications. Results obtained from the analyses revealed their potency against bacterial strains, brine shrimp larvae and radical/electron scavenging activities. All the tested extracts exhibited potent cytotoxicity with sample A at LC₅₀ values of 0.20µg/mL showed higher toxicity than control (potassium dichromate LC₅₀ = 7.23µg/mL). Among the tested samples, sample F revealed the highest inhibitory property with IC₅₀ value of 23.10µg/mL. Samples A and D exhibited significant inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 116.50µg/mL and 355.30µg/mL respectively. Isolated compounds from methanol extracts (sample E and F) showed better performances as antioxidant-agent against pathogens associated to attack by free radical mechanism. With current trend of drug resistance by many microorganisms, new compounds have been isolated from the root of F. capensis that showed better performance against cultured: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumonia at different concentrations.