Chemical composition, anti-inflammatory, molluscicidal and free-radical scavenging activities of the leaves of Ficus radicans 'Variegata' (Moraceae)

Nat Prod Res. 2012;26(4):323-30. doi: 10.1080/14786411003754223. Epub 2011 Jun 21.

Abstract

The methanol crude extract of the leaves of Ficus radicans Roxb. 'Variegata' (Moraceae) and the n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous methanol fractions resulting from its fractionation were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory, molluscicidal and free-radical scavenging activities. The crude extract and fractions exhibited significant inhibition of inflammation in both croton oil (CO)-induced ear oedema in mice (p<0.001) and carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema models (p<0.01). The molluscicidal assay against Biomphalaria glabrata showed a weak activity for the n-hexane fraction (DL(50)= 400 µg mL(-1)). A moderated 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging activity was observed for the ethyl acetate fraction (IC(50)= 66.2 µg mL(-1)). Fractionation of the extracts through chromatographic methods afforded the coumarins 7-methoxycoumarin, 7-hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarin and methoxy-3,4-dihydrocoumarin, the steroids β-sitosterol and β-sitosterol 3-O-β-glucopyranoside, as well as a cinnamic acid derivative and a flavonoid identified as trans-4-methoxy-2-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy cinnamic acid and quercetin 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, respectively. The compounds were identified on the basis of their NMR spectral data and comparison with those previously reported in the literature.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biomphalaria / drug effects
  • Biphenyl Compounds / metabolism
  • Carrageenan / toxicity
  • Cinnamates / chemistry
  • Cinnamates / pharmacology*
  • Croton Oil / toxicity
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods
  • Edema / chemically induced
  • Edema / drug therapy
  • Ficus / chemistry*
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology*
  • Glucosides / chemistry
  • Glucosides / isolation & purification
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Structure
  • Molluscacides / chemistry
  • Molluscacides / pharmacology*
  • Monosaccharides / chemistry
  • Monosaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Picrates / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Quercetin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Quercetin / chemistry
  • Quercetin / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Scopoletin / chemistry
  • Sitosterols / chemistry
  • Sitosterols / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Cinnamates
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Glucosides
  • Molluscacides
  • Monosaccharides
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Sitosterols
  • quercetin 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside
  • sitosterol-3-O-glucopyranoside
  • trans-4-methoxy-2-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxycinnamic acid
  • gamma-sitosterol
  • Croton Oil
  • Carrageenan
  • Quercetin
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
  • Scopoletin