ABSTRACT:
The aim of the present study was to study the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of the Ficus benjamina. Antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of F. benjamina was screened by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, total antioxidant activity, iron chelating activity and reducing power assay. In addition to antioxidant activity, extract was also evaluated for cytotoxic activity brine brine shrimp lethality assay. Estimation of total phenolic content was performed by Folin-Ciocalteau reagent method and estimation of total flavonoid content was performed by aluminium chloride method. During preliminary phytochemical analysis, F. benjamina showed the presence of carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, oil and fats, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, proteins and tannins as major phytochemical groups. Methanolic extract of F. benjamina exhibited significant antioxidant activity in DPPH radical scavenging assay, total antioxidant activity, iron chelating activity and reducing power assay. Phytochemical screening of methanolic extract of F. benjamina showed the presence of high levels of phenolic (4.006 mg gallic acid equivalence/gm) and flavonoids (16.005 mg quercetin acid equivalence/gm) compounds which could be responsible for its antioxidant potential. Extract also resulted in significant cytotoxic activity towards brine shrimp nauplii. The obtained results emphasize the antioxidant activity of F. benjamina and provided the scientific basis for the traditional use in prevention and therapies of diseases.