In-vitro Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Potential of Ficus infectoria Fruits

Background: Antioxidants are chemical substances, either synthetic or natural, that can avert or slow down a range of cellular damage. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to verify the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Ficus infectoria fruits. Materials and Methods: DPPH free radical quenching test, reducing power technique, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging tests were used to assess antioxidant efficacy. In vitro anti-inflammatory experiments were also investigated for membrane stabilization potential and inhibition of proteins from denaturation. Results: Fruits included alkaloids, steroids, phenolics, flavonoids, and amino acids, according to phytochemical study. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of the methanolic and aqueous preparations were determined to be 576.16 ± 129.10 and 416.12 ± 112.01 mg/g Gallic Acid Equivalents (GAE) and 423.17 ± 56.48 and 253.35 ± 24.07 mg/g Rutin Equivalents (RE) respectively. In comparison to the benchmarks Rutin and ascorbic acid, both preparations showed significant DPPH and H₂O₂ quenching efficacy. As compared to the standard Indomethacin, both preparations have strong membrane stabilising and protein denaturation inhibitory potencies Conclusion: The current findings point to Ficus infectoria’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the active ingredients relevant for the activity must be identified and purified, and the exact mechanism must be determined.

Key words: Ficus infectoria, Membrane stabilization, Protein denaturation, Antioxidant, Antiinflammatory.