Analysis of phytochemical composition of a leaf extract of sacred fig (Ficus religiosa L.) by UPLC-QqQ-MS and assessment of its hepatocurative potential in mouse model

Abstract

• UPLC-QqQ-MS was used to analyse the phytochemicals in leaf extract of F. religiosa • Phytochemicals in the leaf extract were identified, confirmed and quantified • Major phytochemicals were found to be polyphenolics • Leaf extract exerts antioxidant-mediated revival of hepatotoxicity • Leaf extract improved the structure and organization of hepatocytes In view of their remarkable pharmacological properties and bioactivities Ficus sp. are used in traditional medicines. Ficus religiosa is richly endowed with ethnobotanical values and it is a promising entity in various medicinal formulations; however, comprehensive phytochemical identification and quantification of F. religiosa using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-QqQ-MS) has not yet been attempted. In the present study, the aqueous dry leaf extract of F. religiosa was tested to identify, confirm, and quantify the phytochemicals using UPLC-QqQ-MS. Besides, the antioxidant-mediated hepatoprotective potential of the leaf extract was demonstrated in the mouse model. In preliminary phytochemical screening, the dry leaf extract showed superior antioxidant activity and increased total phenolic content compared to the fresh leaf extract (61.37±1.90 mg GAE/g vs. 46.5±1.04 mg GAE/g). In UPLC-QqQ-MS analysis, dry leaf extract revealed the presence of catechin, rutin, gentisic acid, quinic acid, protocatechuic acid, and other phenolic compounds, which were proved to be excellent antioxidants. The results of in vivo study revealed that dry leaf extract decreased the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, MDA, LDH, bilirubin, urea, and creatinine, and increased the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants (CAT, GST, GPx, and GSH) in mice. In addition, liver histopathology, produced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) treatment, showed promising recovery in dry leaf extract-treated mice. We conclude from this study that the dry leaf extract of F. religiosa possesses several polyphenols that would potentially reverse the hepatotoxicity caused in the mouse model.