Evaluation of the Anti-lipid Peroxidative Potential of Ficus capreifolia Leaf Extract Using In-vitro Models

Aims: To investigate the anti-lipid peroxidation, DPPH radical scavenging and phosphomolybdate reducing abilities of Ficus capreifolia leaf extract.

Study Design: The study was designed to determine the anti-lipid peroxidation ability of the extract on erythrocytes and liver homogenate. Other assays are the DPPH scavenging activity and antioxidant evaluation by reducing phosphomolybdate.

Place and Duration of Study: The work was done in the Department of Chemistry, Rivers State University from May 2016 to August 2016.

Methodology: The effect of Ficus capreifolia extract on hydrogen peroxide-induced erythrocyte damage and ferrous/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation in bovine liver homogenate were evaluated. Other experiments were performed to determine the total antioxidant activity via phosphomolybdate reduction and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Quercetin was used as the positive control for the reduction of lipid peroxidation in liver while vitamin C was used as the positive control for the other experiments.

Results: The leaf extract significantly ameliorated hydrogen peroxide-induced erythrocyte hemolysis and lipid peroxidation (as indices of erythrocyte damage). The extract also reduced ferrous/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation in bovine liver homogenate. The DPPH scavenging activity and total antioxidant activity via the phosphomolybdate method were also remarkable when compared to vitamin C.

Conclusion: The antioxidant effect of of Ficus capreifolia leaf extract is attributable to the phytochemicals and provides evidence for the traditional use of the plant. This could be exploited both pharmacologically and for nutraceutical preparations.