Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of Ficus capreifolia Leaf Extract via in-vitro Models

Abstract

Aims: To carry out preliminary phytochemical screening and determine the antioxidant ability of Ficus capreifolia leaf extract. Study Design: The study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical profile of Ficus capreifolia leaf and the potential antioxidant activity and comparing to reference antioxidant vitamin C. Place and Duration of Study: The research was done in the Department of Chemistry, Rivers State University from May to August 2016. Methodology: The extract was screened for the presence of some phytochemicals. Thereafter, the antioxidant potential was determined by assessing the hydrogen peroxide scavenging ability, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and ferrous ion reducing ability and comparing them to the corresponding ability of vitamin C. Results: Phytochemicals detected include tannins, carotenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides and polyphenols. The extract also scavenged hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals and also reduced ferrous ions significantly when compared to vitamin C. Conclusion: The leaf extract exhibited significant antioxidant activities which could be ascribed to antioxidant phytochemicals such as flavonoids, polyphenols which were detected. This corroborates the reported traditional use of the plant and can be further exploited pharmacologically.