An In Vitro Anticoagulant and Antioxidant Potentials of Methanol Leaf Extracts of Guiera senagalensis and Ficus platyphylla

Abstract

Gueira senegalensis and Ficus platyphylla are plants used in traditional medicine, and investigating the anticoagulant and antioxidant properties could be beneficial for various cardiovascular diseases. The current study evaluated the in vitro anticoagulant and antioxidant potentials of methanol leaf extracts of G. senegalensis and F. platyphylla for therapeutic purposes. The methanol leaf extracts of the two plants were prepared using 100 g of already dried leaves in 800 mL of methanol (80%) for 48 hours. The phytochemicals were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively using standard methods. A prothrombin time (PT) test was used for anticoagulant activity. Antioxidant activity was analysed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and reducing power, as determined by the Ferric-reducing power assay (FRAP). The antioxidant vitamins A, E and C were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The results showed significant anticoagulant activity in the PT test, suggesting a preferential action toward the extrinsic pathway. The quantitative result revealed the presence of active phytochemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids and terpenoids. The antioxidant vitamins showed the presence of vitamin C in higher amounts and vitamin E in F. platyphylla as compared to G. senegalensis. In conclusion, G. senegalensis and F. platyphylla demonstrated anticoagulant activity, indicating their potential as a new source of bioactive molecules for therapeutic purposes, with a particular emphasis on cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: Gueira senegalensis and Ficus platyphylla, Anticoagulant activity, Antioxidant activity, phytochemicals and antioxidant vitamins.

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/16-2-06

Publication date: November 30^th 2025