Abstract

Aqueous and methanolic extracts of the leaf of Ficus platyphylla subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and terpenoids. The presence of glycosides was not detected in both aqueous and methanolic extracts of the plant. Oxidative stress resulting from the accumulation of reactive oxygen species has been associated with various degenerative diseases. The objective of this study was aimed at determining the in vitro antioxidant capacity of the aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of Ficus platyphylla. In this regard, 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and Nitric Oxide assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant potentials of the plant. In DPPH and TBA assays the methanolic extracts of the leaves have higher antioxidant activities compared to aqueous extract. Both FRAP and Nitric oxide assays showed that aqueous leaf extract has higher in vitro antioxidant activities than methanolic extract. Overall, the in vitro antioxidant activities of leaf extract of Ficus platyphylla assessed by using the aforementioned strategies showed higher antioxidant activities when compared to L-ascorbic acid.