The antioxidant and antiaging activity of fig (Ficus carica Linn) leaf ethanolic extract in vitro

Authors

Aji Winanta, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Kasihan, IndonesiaFollow
Novita Zulaekhah, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Kasihan, IndonesiaFollow
Perdana Priya Haresmita, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Kasihan, IndonesiaFollow
Annisa Krisridwany, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Kasihan, IndonesiaFollow
Rifki Febriansah, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Kasihan, IndonesiaFollow
Inka Aprissa, Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Kasihan, IndonesiaFollow

Abstract

Background: Human organ systems can experience the aging process, one of which is the aging of the skin, characterized by dry, rough, or scaly skin, dullness, dark spots, and wrinkles. Previous studies have found that fig leaves contain compounds that have the potential to be anti-aging.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the potential of fig leaves (Ficus carica Linn) as an anti-aging agent by examining their antioxidant activity, elastase inhibition, and antioxidative stress activity against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Materials and Methods: The phytochemicals in fig leaf ethanol extract were identified using phytochemical screening tests, the thin layer chromatography (TLC) method compared with the retention factor standard value, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The antioxidant activity was completed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrilhydrazyl (DPPH) radical capture method with quercetin comparison. Furthermore, the skin degradation enzyme inhibition test (antiaging) was carried out by inhibiting the enzyme elastase using Human Neutrophil Elastase. Meanwhile, the cell viability test of fig leaf ethanol extract against Human Dermal Fibroblast adult (HDFa) cells utilized the MTT assay method.
Results: It showed that fig leaf ethanol extract contained saponins, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, and flavonoids. Within the TLC test, fig leaf ethanol extract showed the presence of flavonoid compounds. Furthermore, the analysis of GC-MS reveals that fig leaves contain ficusin and methoxsalen. Fig leaf ethanol extract had a weak antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ of 204.69 μg/mL compared to quercetin with IC₅₀ of 6.37 μg/mL. Ethanolic extract of fig leaf was proven to inhibit elastase enzyme activity with a percentage of inhibition at 50 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL, and 200 μg/mL concentrations at 60%, 60%, and 40%, respectively. The HDFa cell viability test showed that ethanol extract from fig leaf could affect maintained HDFa cell viability against exposure to H₂O₂ at a concentration of 31.25, 250, 500, and 1000 μg/mL.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the ethanolic extract of fig leaf exhibits antiaging property.

DOI

10.56808/3027-7922.2938

Recommended Citation

Winanta, Aji; Zulaekhah, Novita; Haresmita, Perdana Priya; Krisridwany, Annisa; Febriansah, Rifki; and Aprissa, Inka (2025) "The antioxidant and antiaging activity of fig (Ficus carica Linn) leaf ethanolic extract in vitro," The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences: Vol. 49: Iss. 1, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56808/3027-7922.2938
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/tjps/vol49/iss1/4