Phytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Root and Stem Bark Extracts of Ficus Sycomorus Linn.

This study was designed to investigate the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activities of the root and stem bark of Ficus sycomorus. The root and stem bark of Ficus sycomorus were extracted using water and ethanol. Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical analysis was done using Standard methods. Two in vitro antioxidant tests-hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydroxyl (DPPH) scavenging models were employed. Phytochemical analysis revealed that, all the phytochemicals were found in reasonable amount in all the extracts except glycoside and reducing sugars (carbohydrates). Aqueous stem bark extract (ASBE) have the highest amount of Alkaloids, Flavonoids and saponins (72.00 ± 0.01, 31.43 ± 0.01, 42.00 ± 0.01) mg/100g respectively. Steroid was highest in Ethanol stem bark extract (ESBE), 96.00 ± 0.01 mg/100g while ethanol root bark extract (ERBE) have the highest amount of total phenols, (62.14 ± 0.02 mg/100g). Lower values were found in all the extracts for Cardiac glycosides, cyanogenic glycosides and reducing sugars. In the antioxidant models, the results from Hydrogen peroxide model suggest that the IC50 against the free radicals were exhibited in this order: ARBE < ERBE < ASBE < ESBE. The result of this study indicates that Aqueous Root Bark Extract (ARBE) exhibits stronger antioxidant activity than the other extracts. In the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydroxyl (DPPH) scavenging models, the IC50 against the free radicals were exhibited in this order: ERBE < ERBE < ESBE < ASBE. In the DPPH Scavenging model, Ethanol Root Bark Extract (ERBE) exhibit stronger activity than the other extracts. This study has shown that this plant possess antioxidant activity. The abundance of phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and tannins was observed in these extracts and these phytochemicals could be responsible for the biological activities of the plant. The present study supports previous works on this plant and further justifies the traditional use of these plants in the treatment of various diseases.