Antioxidant activity of the bioactive compounds from the edible fruits and leaves of Ficus sur Forssk. (Moraceae)

Abstract

Ficus sur Forssk. (Moraceae) is a medicinal plant species found in Africa and the leaves are used in traditional medicine as a blood builder to boost iron levels for the treatment of anaemia, skin disorders and sexually transmitted diseases. In this study, a phytochemical investigation was conducted on F. sur and the antioxidant properties of the isolates and extracts were evaluated. The major secondary metabolites that were isolated from the fruits and leaves were the triterpenoid (lupeol), sterol (β-sitosterol), phaeophytin (phaeophytin a) and flavonoid (epicatechin). The findings reveal significantly higher (p<0.05) antioxidant activity for the methanol extract of the fruits (IC50 9.06 μg/mL), which may be attributed to the higher phenolic content and presence of epicatechin. The results show the species to be rich in pharmacologically active compounds that are documented to exhibit haematinic effects, stimulate reconstruction and cell proliferation in skin, and inhibit the growth and proliferation of pathogenic agents of sexually transmitted infections. This study therefore validates the ethnomedicinal use of the plant, and its consumption could have a profound influence on nutrition and health, especially amongst indigenous people of Africa.

Biflavonoids from the roots of Rhus ruspolii and evaluations of their antioxidant activities

“…The long range HMBC, H-H COSY and NOE correlations showed that the compounds is a dimer of catechin and 2''',4''',6'''-benzentriol-(7''-hydroxylphenyl)-2'',3''-dihydroxylpropyl. The HMBC correlations from proton at δH 4.56 (H-2) with carbons at δC 27.9 (C-4), 67.5 (C-3), 114.8 (C-2'), 131.5 (C-1'), 119.2 (C-6') and 156.2 (C-8a); δH 2.92/2.52 (H-4) with 67.5 (C-3), 81.8 (C-2), 99.7 (C-4a), and 155.9 (C-5); δH 5.92 (H-6) with carbons at δC 99.7 (C-4a), 155.9 (C-5) and 94.8 (C-8); δH 5.89 (H-8) with carbons at δC 94.8 (C-6), 99.7(C-4a), and 156.3(C-7); δH 6.92 (H-2') with carbon at 81.8 (C-2), 119.2 (C-6') and 144.9 (C-3'); δH 6.80 (H-5') with carbon at 81.1 (C-2), 131.5 (C-1'), 114.8 (C-2') and δH 6.77 (H-6') with carbon at 144.4 (C-4') and 114.4 (C-5') suggested catechin skeleton [11][12][13]. Key HMBC correlations of proton at δH 6.92 (H-2') with 81.8 (C-2), 119.2 (C-6') and 144.8 (C-6'') confirm the position of the side chain at C-3'.…”

Characterization and Isolation of the Major Biologically Active Metabolites Isolated from Ficus retusa and Their Synergistic Effect with Tetracycline against Certain Pathogenic-Resistant Bacteria

“…Six compounds were isolated from Ficus microcarpa bark previously [13]. These were: (1) protocatechuic acid [14], (2) catechin [15,16], (3) chlorogenic acid, (4) methyl chlorogenate [14], (5) Procynandin B1 [17], and (6) procyanidin B3 [18]; moreover, four known compounds were isolated for the first time from F. retusa bark, namely: (7) catechin-3-O-glucoside [19], (8) isoferuyl quinic acid [20], (9) syringic acid [21], and (10) 7-O-Methyl-genistein [22].…”

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from Ficus palmata Forssk. and Evaluation of their Antibacterial Activity Against Resistant Bacteria

“…Several species of Ficus are utilized in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and tonic properties. These species have a long history of being used as medicinal remedies (Kitajima et al, 1999;Ogunlaja et al, 2022;Khan et al, 2022). Ficus extracts have been reported to have potential benefits in treating a variety of diseases, including epilepsy, jaundice, influenza, whooping cough, tonsillitis, bronchitis, enteritis, bacillary dysentery, toothache, and bruises (Kitajima et al, 1999).…”