The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2014;3(1): 16-21 ;   DOI:10.31254/phyto.2014.3103

Research Article

Assessment of antioxidant activity of Ficus asperifolia Miq aqueous extract - In vitro studies

Ojo O.A¹ , Akintayo C.O²

Ojo O.A,Akintayo C.O

1. Department of Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry unit, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
2. Department of Physiology, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Abstract

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Antioxidants play an important role in inhibiting and scavenging free radicals, thus providing protection to human against degenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro antioxidant activity of Ficus asperifolia aqueous extract. In this study, the free radical scavenging potential of a aqueous extract of the leaves of Ficus asperifolia was assessed by measuring its capability for scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydroxyl radical (OH), nitric oxide radicals (NO), iron chelation as well as its reductive ability. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The aqueous extract of Ficus asperifolia had a DPPH scavenging activity of 78.65 ±1.15% at 5 mg/ml and a reductive potential of 44.05 ± 0.05 mm.AAE/g at 5 mg/ml. The plant extract yielded 69.20 ± 0.00 mg garlic acid equivalents phenolic content and 39.90 ± 0.00 mg rutin equivalents flavonoid content. The observed antioxidant potentials and phenolic content of the extract suggest that an aqueous extract of Ficus asperifolia leaves is a potential source of natural antioxidants and may be responsible for its popular and wide traditional use.

Keywords

Ficus asperifolia, Antioxidant activity, Phenolic content, Flavonoid content.

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