Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Ficus sycomorus L. leaf extracts

Abstract

The phytochemical composition and biological activities of Ficus sycomorus L. leaf extracts, collected from Jericho, Palestine, were investigated. The fresh leaves were extracted with methanol, water, ethyl acetate and dichloromethane and tested for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, DPPH radical-scavenging activity and antimicrobial activity against eight phytopathogenic fungi and four pathogenic bacteria. The aqueous extract had the highest phenolic content (492.96 ± 0.30 mg GAE/g), whereas the methanolic extract showed the highest flavonoid content (20.64 ± 0.88 mg QE/g) and strongest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 35.97 ± 1.79 µg/mL). All the tested fungi were inhibited by organic extracts (MIC = 25–100 µg/mL). All the tested bacteria were inhibited by methanolic extract (100 µg/mL). These results underscore the potential use of F. sycomorus leaves as a natural source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents. Further chemical, toxicological and in vivo studies are needed.