Exploring the Bioactive Potential of Ficus benghalensis L. Leaves: Phytochemical Profiling and In Vitro Biological Evaluation

Abstract

Ficus benghalensis L. (Bar) is a medicinally valued plant containing a diverse range of phytochemical constituents. The present study evaluated the phytochemical profile and biological activities of hexane, chloroform, and methanol leaf extracts obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction. Phytochemical screening revealed that the methanol extract contained a broader range of secondary metabolites, producing inhibition zones of 1.5-1.6 cm against the tested bacteria. In contrast, the hexane and chloroform extracts showed no antibacterial activity but exhibited antifungal activity. Methanol extract also showed comparatively higher DPPH radical-scavenging activity. However, for hexane and chloroform extracts, the IC50 value was not attained at the tested concentration range. α-Amylase inhibition was highest in methanol extract (25.8 % at 10 mg/mL), although none of the extracts achieved 50% inhibition. Brine shrimp lethality analysis revealed an LC50 of 429.1 ± 10.2 μg/mL for the methanol extract, whereas the hexane and chloroform extracts showed LC50 values above 1000 μg/mL, suggesting lower lethality. Overall, the extracts exhibited solvent-dependent phytochemical and biological profiles, with methanol extract showing comparatively greater activity across the assays. These findings support further investigation of F. benghalensis leaves to identify, isolate, and characterize the constituents responsible for the observed activities.