Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of Ficus benghalensis Plant Extracts of Barks

Author(s): Satya Prakash Singh* and Navneet Kumar Verma

Abstract: There are diverse varieties of plants and trees with humongous medicinal properties. Present investigation is an attempt to evaluate antioxidants potential of leaves and stem bark of Ficus benghalensis (Moraceae), an important medicinal plant in the Indian system of medicine. Research on antioxidant activity is an important topic in the medical sector as well as in the food industry due to the fact that, antioxidants play a major part in inhibiting and scavenging free radicals, thus providing protection to human against infections and degenerative diseases. It reduces cell damages caused by free-radical which are responsible for various ailments like ageing, cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative disorders, atherosclerosis, cataracts and inflammation. Methanolic extract was prepared from the leaf and stem bark of Ficus benghalensis. Their total phenolics and free radical scavenging capacity was determined using folin-ciocalteu reagent (FCR) assay and DPPD-radical scavenging assay respectively. Stem bark and leaves of F. benghalensis contains 239.73 and 229.37 mg of GAE / gm of dried extract of phenolics respectively. Current studies also show that Ficus benghalensis barks contain a high antioxidant activity. IC50 value of bark extract was found to be 19μg/ml which is even better that of the standard BHT. Therefore, present studies suggest that F. benghalensis bark has a huge potential in terms of commercial use as source of antioxidant.

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