INVITRO AND INVIVO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY ON THE LEAVES OF FICUS BENJAMINA LINN.

In the present study, in vitro and in vivo antioxidant studies were performed on the leaves of Ficus benjamina L. ethanolic extracts of the drug were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity using nitric oxide and DPPH free radicals. The plant extracts and isolated compound exhibited dose dependent scavenging effects against the both free radicals tested. The ethanolic extract (Ficus benjamina Linn.) was subjected to in vivo antioxidant activity studies using CCl₄ induced hepatotoxicity model in Wistar albino rats. The extract and isolated compounds was exhibited significant increase in the levels of glutathione and enzymes viz. SOD, catalase and peroxidase at different dose levels. The extent of lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced in the extract treated groups and isolated compounds. Results were comparable with that of standard antioxidant silymarin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]