Comparative Botanical and Phytochemical Evaluation of Medicinally Important Stem Bark of Ficus species

ObjectiveTo evaluate the pharmacognostical comparison (Botanical study, physicochemical parameters, HPTLC analysis) in stem barks of four Ficus species (family-Moraceae) viz. F. religiosa L, F. glomerata Roxb, F. retusa auct. & F. carica.MethodsEstimation of Phytochemical markers viz: β-sitosterol and lupeol was quantified by HPTLC method and antioxidant studies by carried by DPPH method.ResultsHPTLC method showed considerable amount of variation with two reference standard viz: β-sitosterol and lupeol content in stem bark of F. religiosa, F. glomerata, F. retusa & F. carica and it were found 0.084, 0.041, 0.059 & 0.131 and 0.020, 0.043, 0.069 & 0.049 respectively. The antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract of stem bark of F. religiosa, F. retusa, F. glomerata & F. carica were found 46.86%, 42.56%, 31.25% & 25.63% at 0.1mg/mL concentration.ConclusionThe present work was taken up with a view to lay down standards which will contribute significantly to quality control of these medicinally useful Ficus species. It also provides suitable criteria to differentiate the stem barks of four Ficus species.