Phytoconstituents, Antioxidant Potential and Antiulcer Activity of Ficus Exasperata

Abstract

Medicinal plants continue to play an essential role in global healthcare and drug discovery. According to the world health organization, nearly 80% of the world Population depend on plant-based medicine for primary healthcare Plants contain numerous bioactive phytochemicals-flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins and phenols-that promote mucosal protection, inhibit acid secretion and facilitate ulcer healing. This study investigated the phytochemical, antioxidant activity, and antiulcer potential of ficus exaspereta leaves. The phytochemical constituents were determined by standard methods, the antioxidant activity was ascertained by the DPPH assay, while the antiulcer potential was assessed by an ethanol-gastric induced model in wister rats. Bioactive constituents identified in the methanol extract included alkaloids, flavonoids, glycoside, phenols and tannins. The extract exhibited a total phenolic (29.5mgGAE/g) and flavonoid (122.8mg QE/g) contents, contributing to a strong antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay, with an IC50 of 1.90𝛍g/mL, compared to 1.30 � �g/mL for ascorbic acid. The extract demonstrated significant gastroprotection with the 200mg/kg dose showing the highest ulcer inhibition (44.10%). These finding show that Ficus exasperata possesses promising anti-ulcer properties at moderate dose supporting its ethnomedicinal uses in managing gastric ulcers.