Phytochemical and pharmacological studies of Ficus auriculata Lour. (Moraceae) cultivated in Egypt

This study scientifically examined the phytochemistry, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potencies of two extracts of Ficus auriculata Lour. (Moraceae). Eight known compounds, including: betulinic acid, lupeol, stigmasterol, bergapten, scopoletin, β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, myricetin and quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside were isolated from the petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of alcoholic extracts of the leaves and fruits of Ficus auriculata. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of various spectroscopic methods. This is the first report on compounds separation from Ficus auriculata. Concerning the biological studies, the results revealed that both extracts were effective against gram + ve bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram – ve bacteria (Escherichia coli) by agar well diffusion method. However, ethanolic extract of leaves exhibited greater antibacterial activity than the ethanolic extract of fruits. Meanwhile, the ethanolic extract of leaves at dose of 500mg/kg exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effect using carrageenin-induced rat hind paw oedema model.

Keywords: Ficus auriculata, Moraceae, antibacterial activity, anti-inflammatory