Antioxidant activity assay and determination of phenolic and flavonoid content of Libho (Ficus Septica Burm. F) fruits

Abstract

Background: One of the plants used in Indonesian traditional medicine Libho (Ficus Septica Burm. F) is traditionally used to treat some diseases, including malaria, diarrhea, diabetes, analgesic, antifungal, dysentery, anthelmintic, antioxidant, hemostatic and anti-inflammatory. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the potential in vitro antioxidant activity assay and phytochemical content of Libho fruits. Methods: Libho leaves powder was extracted with the maceration method Antioxidant activity was evaluated using ABTS cation and CUPRAC radicals. Total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau method. Meanwhile, the total flavonoid content was determined using the aluminum chloride complex colorimetric method; Results: Extract and fraction of Ficus Septica Burm. F fruits have the strongest antioxidant potential. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest antioxidant activity on both ABTS and CUPRAC radicals with IC50 values of 6.33 ± 0.01 µg/mL and 11.64 ± 0.28 µg/mL, respectively. Ethyl acetate fraction also showed high phenolic and flavonoid content with values of 28 ± 0.05 mg GAE/100 mg sample and 43.08 ± 0.48 mg QE/100 mg sample, respectively. Conclusion: Ethyl acetate fraction has the potential to be used as a source of natural antioxidants and has the potential to be used as a nutraceutical.