UPLC-QToF Nanospray MS and NMR Analysis of Ficus sycomorus Stem Bark and Its Effects on Rabbit

In the present study, a phytochemical of Ficus sycomorus (Moraceae family) was screened, and the effect of this extract on rabbit performance indices, immunity, and carcass quality measures was determined. Ficus sycomorus samples were collected, air-dried, and extracted with 70% methanol to prepare a solution of 100 mg/mL concentration. The extract was subjected to high-resolution mass spectrometric measurements via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-nanospray mass spectrometry (UPLC-QToF-MS) and 1H NMR analysis. Forty-eight male rabbits, one-month-old, belonging to the Blanc de Bouscat and New Zealand White breeds were selected and distributed equally in a 2 × 3 factorial trial. The rabbits within each breed received F. sycomorus extract at the dose of 0, 100, and 200 mg/kg for 60 days. Blood samples were collected and serum obtained for the detection of liver enzymes, serum lipids, and proteins. The results of UPLC-QToF-MS and molecular networking analysis revealed the presence of procyanidin B2, procyanidin A1, genistein, eriodyctiol, catechin, luteolin, biochanin A, and chlorogenic acid that might exhibit various pharmaceutical activities. However, the F. sycomorus extract reduced rabbit performance indices and carcass quality measures. In addition, this extract significantly depressed the low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides, which may indicate the antidyslipidemia effect of this extract on rabbits.

Phytochemical Analysis and Antifungal Activity of Ficus Sycomorus L. (Moraceae) Extracts on some Dermatophytic Fungi

Ficus sycomorus L is a large, semi-deciduous spreading savannah tree that belongs to the family (Moraceae) is used by many tribes in the treatments of skin infections. The aim of this study was to carry out phytochemical analysis and antifungal evaluation of F. sycomorus L. stem and leaf Methanol extract on some dermatophytic fungi. The stem and leaf crude extracts were obtained after drying using maceration and percolation with methanol as the solvent. The extract was subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening as well as GC-MS analysis for the presence of bioactive constituents. The antifungal inhibitory effect of the crude stem and leaf extracts was assessed by agar well diffusion methods. The phytochemical screening revealed that the leaves and stem-bark contained secondary metabolites such as tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, reducing sugar and steroid. The GC-MS assay showed that the most prevailing compound in the methanolic stem-bark extract was 2, 9, Diazabicyclo (4, 4, 0) decane-3,10 dione, while in the methanolic leaves extract was acetic acid. The anti-dermatophytic assay of the extracts against Microsporum canis and Tricophyton tonsurans showed that the extracts inhibited the fungi with zones of inhibitions ranging from 6.33±0.47 to 24.33±0.47mm with the leaf extract exhibiting higher inhibition zones than the stem extract (p˂0.01). The study shows that both the stem and leaf methanol extract of Ficus sycomorus L possesses antifungal activity and should be considered as a potential antifungal agent in search of newer agents to address dermatophytic fungal infections Key words: Ficus sycomorus L, Phytochemical/GC-MS Analysis, Antifungal activity

IN VITRO ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITY OF LEAVE PETROLEUM ETHER EXTRACT OF FICUS SYCOMORUS PLANT

In vitro anti-malarial activity of petroleum ether extracts of Ficus sycomorus leaves was investigated using Candle Jar method. The extractions were carried out through activity guided fractionation. Petroleum ether extract has the highest activity, at the concentration of 1mg and 0.5mg with percentage growth inhibition of (33.12 and 31.9%) respectively. These results suggest that the leaves of Ficus sycomorus plant have significant antimalarial activity and that the antiplasmodial agents might be as a result of the extract fractionated using the petroleum.

Evaluation of haematology and serum biochemistry of weaner rabbits fed diets containing Ficus sycomorus and Parkia biglobosa leaf meals

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of varying levels of Ficus sycomorus and Parkia biglobosa leaf meals based diets on the haematology and serum biochemistry of weaner rabbits. Twenty rabbits of mixed breed and sex were allotted to four treatments with each treatment consisting of five rabbits per treatment. The treatments consisted of diets with zero forage (T; control), 5% Ficus sycomorus leaf meal (T), 5% Parkia biglobosa leaf meal 1 2 (T) and 2.5% Ficus sycomorus + 2.5% Parkia biglobosa leaf meals (T) in a completely 3 4 randomized design. The diets were iso-nitrogenous and the trial lasted for eight weeks. Haematological parameters measured were PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC whereas total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, urea and cholesterol were the biochemical parameters measured. Result of the study showed that Ficus sycomorus and Parkia biglobosa leaves were high in DM, CP, CF, fat and ash contents (94.50% and 92.30%, 18.66% and 19.60%, 9.32% and 7.12%, 9.71% and 8.00%, 10.46% and 12.60%, respectively) but low in moisture (5.50% and 7.70%, respectively). It also revealed significant differences (P<0.05) in all parameters evaluated for haematology [31.93 - 6 3 6 341.90% PCV, 9.50 - 12.10 g/dL Hb, (4.13 - 5.93) x 10/mm RBC, (1.71 - 5.80) x 10/mm WBC, 70.67 - 77.37 Fl MCV, 20.46 - 23.96 Pg MCH and 29.00 - 30.00% MCHC]. The values of total protein (68.00 - 74.00 g/L), albumin (34.00 - 48.33d/L), globulin (25.67 - 34.00g/L), glucose (3.67 - 4.57 mmol/L), urea (8.73 - 9.67 mg/dL) and cholesterol (1.17 - 2.60 mmol/L) obtained for biochemical parameters in the control and study animals also showed significant (P<0.05) differences except for globulin. It was concluded that inclusion of Ficus sycomorus leaf meal in the diets of weaner rabbits at 5% had no adverse effect on the parameters evaluated. It was therefore, recommended that 5% inclusion level of Ficus sycomorus could be safely incorporated in the diets of weaner rabbits to meet their protein requirements as an alternative to more expensive conventional protein sources.

GC-MS Analysis and Antimicrobial Spectrum of Stem Bark Extracts of Ficus sycomorus

Aim: This work investigated the gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy of methanolic extract and antimicrobial spectrum of acetone and aqueous crude extracts of Ficus sycomorus stem bark. Place and Duration of the Study: Department chemistry research laboratory and microbiology laboratory, Yobe State University, Damaturu between April 2019 and August, 2019. Methodology: Pure isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysentariae, proteus spp, Pseudomonas auruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia and a fungi, Candida albicans were collected from National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State. The plant was collected and the extract was used in preliminary phytochemical screening, GC-MS analysis and reconstituted for antimicrobial activities testing. Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed presence of saponin, flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycoside and tannin. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of heterocyclic members of pyrazole, imidazole, triazole, thiazole and 1, 3-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-hethylhexyl) ester. Acetone extract showed the greatest antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Shigella spp while the aqueous extract produced antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Candida albicans. Both acetone and aqueous extracts of both stem bark extracts did not exhibit any activity against Escherichia coli. All the extracts were tested at 100mg/ml concentration. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) (125 – 250 mg/ml) of both extracts were higher than those of ciprofloxacin (5.0 mg/ml). Conclusion: There is scientific basis for the uses of F. sycomorus in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases as prescribed earlier on and stronger basis for recommendation for its cautious use for the presence of 2-ethylhexyl which could be Carcinogenic. This is first study to identify 2-ethylhexyl from F. sycomorus stem bark extract and recommend cautious use.