Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Ficus capensis Thunb Leaves

Aims: To evaluate the phytochemical constituents of the ethanol leaf extract of Ficus capensis using GC-MS, its antimicrobial and in vitro antioxidant activities.

Study Design: The study was designed to identify the phytochemicals present in Ficus capensis, to test the inhibitory ability of the plant extract on human pathogens and to ascertain its antioxidant activities.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri. Imo state and Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia. Abia state, between June to November, 2013.

Methodology: The phytochemicals from the stem of Ficus capensisThunb were extracted with ethanol and subjected to GC/MS analysis and the identification of compounds was done by comparing spectrum of the unknown component with the spectrum of the known components stored in the NIST library. The antibacterial activity was performed by filter paper disc diffusion technique. The antioxidant activity of the extract was tested using DPPH and FRAP assays.

Results: The results of the analysis revealed that ethanol extract of Ficus capensis contains twelve compounds with n- Hexadecanoic acid forming the bulk of the oil (40%). Other compounds identified include: glycerin, 4-(2, 6, 6-trimethylcyclohexa-1, 3-dienyl) but-3-en-2-one, 3-Acetoxy-4-cyano-2, 5-dimethylpyridine, tetradecanoic acid etc. The ethanol extract inhibited all the tested organisms S. aureus, P. mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi and E. coli though not to a high extent. The antioxidant activity of the extract increased with increasing concentration of the extract. The optimum activity was observed at 200 µg/ml.

Conclusion: The constituents of this plant suggest its varied medicinal uses in ethno-medicine. Further research is needed to determine the possible mechanism of action of these phytoconstituents.