Phytochemical profiling and antioxidant activities of bodhi tree leaf extract (Ficus religiosa L.) on nitric oxide and catalase.

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is on the verge of becoming a global epidemic. It is a complex, chronic illness that has epidemic proportions in most industrialized nations. This study examines the antioxidant potential of a sacred plant, the bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa). The capability of F. religiosa to suppress nitric oxide (NO) production and enhance catalase activity was determined using colorimetry methods. Additionally, liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy was used to determine the phytochemical profile of the plant. The contribution of detected compounds was predicted using activity spectra for biologically active substances online. This study revealed the activity of F. religiosa to suppress NO production with IC₅₀ value was 63.57μg/mL. The activity of F. religiosa to increase the catalase activity did not follow the increase of extract concentration, in contrast with the NO test. The concentration with optimum activity was 10μg/mL. The extract can increase catalase activity by 45.45% in this concentration. The presence of corchorifatty acid F, D-(-)-Quinic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and gentisic acid, confirmed by LC-MS/MS, might contribute to the antioxidant activity of F. religiosa. In summary, the antioxidant activity of F. religiosa was mediated by NO production suppression and catalase activity enhancement.