PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND ACUTE ORAL TOXICITY OF THE FLAVONOID-RICH FRACTION OF FICUS RELIGIOSA LEAF EXTRACT

Abstract

Ficus religiosa L. has long-documented ethnomedicinal use, but rational evaluation of its therapeutic potential requires prior characterisation of its phytochemical composition and safety profile. This study aimed to characterise the phytochemical profile and establish the acute oral safety of the ethanol leaf extract of F. religiosa, as a foundation for its subsequent antidiabetic evaluation. This study characterised the phytochemical composition of the ethanol leaf extract of F. religiosa. It determined the acute oral toxicity of its flavonoid-rich fraction, in preparation for downstream antidiabetic evaluation. Leaves were extracted by cold maceration in 70% ethanol, screened qualitatively and quantitatively for major phytochemical classes, and fractionated by solvent partitioning to isolate a flavonoid-rich fraction (FLEF). Acute oral toxicity of FLEF was assessed in Wistar rats per OECD Guideline 425. Ethanol extraction of 1,200 g of leaves yielded 16.68% (w/w) of a dark-greenish, gummy extract. Qualitative screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, phenols, phlobatannins, and triterpenoids. Quantitative analysis showed phenols (4.81 ± 1.12 mg/g), alkaloids (3.21 ± 1.14 mg/g), tannins (2.17 ± 1.12 mg/g), saponins (1.32 ± 1.25 mg/g), coumarins (1.05 ± 0.61 mg/g), flavonoids (0.96 ± 0.05 mg/g), phlobatannins (0.94 ± 1.30 mg/g), and triterpenoids (0.48 ± 1.27 mg/g). No mortality or signs of toxicity were observed at an oral dose of 5,000 mg/kg over 14 days, indicating an estimated LD50 greater than 5,000 mg/kg. The ethanol leaf extract of F. religiosa contains a diverse and abundant phytochemical profile, and its flavonoid-rich fraction shows a wide margin of safety, supporting its suitability for further pharmacological evaluation