Abstract
The aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis Linn (Moraceae) have been reported to have immunomodulatory, anti-bacterial and hair growth promoting activities. There are no reports on isolation and characterization of phytoconstituents from the aerial roots. The aim of present study involved isolation and characterization of phyto constituents from the aerial roots. Hence in this study an extract rich in flavonoids (i.e ethyl acetate rich extract) of aerial roots was prepared and isolation of constituents was done using column chromatography. A total of 7 compounds were identified and characterized from the ethyl acetate rich extract of the aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis using LC-MS and HPLC-UV techniques. These includes Kaempferol 3-O-acetyl-glucoside, Quercetin 3-arabinoside 7-rhamnoside, Quercetin 3-O-(6"-malonyl-glucoside) 7-O-glucoside, Naringenin-feruloyl hexose, Pelargonidin 3-O-rutinoside, Epicatechin gallate, Cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside. The results of phytochemical investigations indicate that flavonoids are major class of compounds present in this part of plant which can be used as as potential antioxidants and anticancer agents.
