In Vitro Pharmacological & Phytochemical Investigation On N-Hexane Fraction Of Ficus Hispida Leaves Extract

Abstract

The study was designed for pharmacological & phytochemical investigation of n-Hexane fraction of methanol extract of the leaves of Ficus hispida (Family: Moraceae). The powdered leaves of Ficus hispida were extracted with methanol and then partitioned with n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate consecutively. The n-Hexane fraction remaining was investigated for total flavonoid content, total phenol content, brine shrimp lethality test. The fraction contained 43.125 mg AAE/gm of dried extract in total phenolic content assay and 29.39623 mg quercetin/gm of dried extract in total flavaniod content assay. Screening for cytotoxic properties using brine shrimp lethality bioassay with tamoxifen (LC50 value of 0.78726 μg/ml) as positive control showed that the fraction have considerable cytotoxic potency exhibiting LC50 value 1.13675 μg/ml. The n-Hexane fraction showed weak cytotoxic activity, low antioxidant activity. Further investigations are needed for the proper identification and isolation of these bioactive compounds to produce safer drugs for treatment of harmful diseases.