IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTIOXIDANT AND ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITIES OF FICUS NOTA (BLANCO) MERR.

Karen Gem D. Ares, Christelle Venus F. Capuno, Hannah Krizzia M. Cortes, Alyssa Trizia L. Cristi, Hilton Cedrick L. Cutero, Gamaliel P. Galigao, Librado A. Santiago, Sandra C. Sy

Ficus species are known to exhibit neuroprotective activity and to some extent show acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. The aims of the study are to assess the antioxidant activity of the crude methanolic extract of the leaves of Ficus nota (Blanco) Merr. using scavenging assays for hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide radical, and hydrogen peroxide, and its acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity using Ellman’s method. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of terpenoids, tannins, alkaloids, polyphenols, and glycosides, and the total phenolic content (TPC) was found to be 3.448 mg/g GAE. The extract showed stimulatory activity towards hydrogen peroxide. On the other hand, inhibitory activity towards nitric oxide and hydroxyl radicals was exhibited in a decreasing trend. Furthermore, AChE activity was inhibited by the extract at low concentrations. The methanolic crude extract of the leaves of Ficus nota (Blanco) Merr. has pro-oxidant and AChE inhibitory activities. With these, the plant may be explored as a potential pharmaceutical substance in the future.