Abstract
Ficus religiosa (Sacred Fig) is a medicinally important tree, native to the Indian subcontinent. It has been extensively pharmacologically researched species having wide spectrum of medicinal properties. All parts of F. religiosa tree are known to possess important medicinal properties such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing and skin diseases etc. However, effects of F. religiosa on skin cells line HaCaT was not studied for its antioxidant properties. In this report we have investigated F. religiosa bark aqueous extract for its antioxidant properties on human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cell line using DPPH, superoxide dismutase 1, superoxide dismutase 2 and catalase assay. We observed that F. religiosa bark aqueous extract efficiently scavenged (80%) DPPH radicals. Superoxide dismutase1 assay of F. religiosa bark aqueous extract effectively scavenged superoxide radicals (O-2(-)) and showed dose dependent activity. Reactive oxygen species were trapped by superoxide dismutase 2 assay of F. religiosa bark aqueous extract and form hydrogen peroxide. Catalase assay results revelled that hydrogen peroxide was further decomposed to give water and oxygen. Thus various anti-oxidant assays of F. religiosa bark aqueous extract indicate that it efficiently reduced the reactive oxygen species in skin cells.