Evaluating the antioxidant and anticancer property of <i>Ficus carica</i> fruits

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant and anticancer properties of Ficus carica (FC). The dried coarse powder of F. carica fruits was exhaustively extracted with ethanol and the resulting crude ethanolic extract (FCE) was assayed for antioxidant and anticancer activities, since both are inter-related. The antioxidant activity of FCE was determined by reductive potential in reducing ferric ions and anticancer activity was determined using breast cancer cell lines (MCF7). The extract showed strong antioxidant and anti-cancer activities, which suggest the use of the plant for therapeutic purposes, supporting the traditional claims.

Keywords: Ficus, MCF7, antioxidant, breast cancer