The present study was designed to confirm the traditional use of the fruits of Ficus hispida Linn. (Moraceae) as an antioxidant agent. Fruits of the plant extracted with methanol and crude methanol extract (CME) were further fractionated with n-hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. All the fractions, n-hexane (NHF), chloroform (CHF), ethyl acetate (EAF), aqueous (AQF) and CME were preliminary screened for in vitro antioxidant activity and total phenolic and total flavonoid content. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, CME exhibited highest scavenging activity (IC 50 = 11.20 µg/mL) as compared to other fractions. In this assay, IC 50 of reference standard BHT was 5.10 µg/mL. The reducing power of the samples was in the order as AQF > CME > CHF > EAF > NHF. The results for hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity indicated that CME, EAF and AQF had almost the same scavenging activity except NHF. Total antioxidant capacity of CME and other fractions were ranked as CHF > AQF > CME > EAF > NHF. In the assay of antioxidant constituents (total phenol and total flavonoids content), the CME had highest phenolic and flavonoids content. The results indicate that Ficus hispida fruits could be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidant.

Ovarian cyp19a mRNA expression and P450 aromatase activity were measured in vivo in common carp Cyprinus carpio exposed to phenol for 96 h. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and parameters of antioxidant defense system in serum ovary and liver of this fish after long-term phenol exposure were also studied. In vivo exposure of fish to sublethal dose of phenol for 96 h caused marked attenuation of ovarian cyp19a1a gene expression and P450 aromatase activity. Production of ROS like hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals in serum, liver and ovary in fish exposed to phenol for 15 days elevated significantly from day 1 to day 7 with no further significant increase thereafter compared to their respective control values. Total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in serum and ovary decreased gradually and significantly from day 1 to day 4, which then increased significantly for the rest of the exposure days. Liver SOD activity seemed to be distinctly responsive to phenol. SOD activity in liver of phenol-exposed fish started to increase gradually from day 1 to 4 with no further increase thereafter. Catalase activities in all the tissues showed significant inhibition up to day 4 which then increased gradually and significantly up to day 15 of phenol exposure compared to their respective control values. From our results, it appears that sublethal dose of phenol has the endocrine disruptive potential and effect is mediated via inhibition of ovarian P450arom gene expression and aromatase activity in vivo. Sublethal dose of phenol also caused oxidative stress, and antioxidant systems are very much effective to prevent the damages caused by the generation of ROS.

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The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of fruits extracts (Ficus hispida) on serum lipids and antioxidant status in hypercholesterolaemic rats. Hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding high fat diet for 28 days and was evidenced by elevated levels of serum triglycerides (TG), serum LDL cholesterol and decreased serum HDL cholesterol. Oxidative stress was measured by determining the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver homogenate of experimental rats. In hypercholesterolaemic rats, crude methanolic extract (CME) consumption had no effect on HDL-cholesterol, yet it showed a marked hypolipidaemic action, decreasing TG and LDL-cholesterol that had been increased after consuming the high-cholesterol diet. On the other hand, the concentration of TBARS decreased significantly, indicating decreased lipid peroxidation. In addition, the activities of catalase and SOD increased significantly in liver homogenate. The above evidence suggested that CME of the fruits of this plant can be a source of natural antioxidant that can reduce the plasma lipid (cholesterol) level and also decreases the lipid peroxidation.

Plant-based substances are seeking attention due to their substantial medical benefits. Medicinally, as well as in terms of poisoning and psychotropic effects, members of the family Solanaceae have been of great importance and used throughout history. The present study mainly focuses on the identification and location ofan important exotic plant speciesSolanumdiphyllum L. proven to be a potentially fast-spreading weed being reported from various states of South India and the detection of important biologically active chemical compounds in the same to look into the discovery of new herbal formulations and their curative properties for treatment of common ailments.