AQUEOUS AND METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF SANDPAPER (Ficus exasperata) LEAVES: DIABETIC AND ANTIOXIDANT INDICES

Although Ficus exasperata is frequently used in traditional medicine to treat oxidative stress-related diseases and diabetes, the biological foundation for its therapeutic actions is still unclear. This study examined the bioactive constituent of methanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Ficus exasperata and evaluated their antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. The chemical constituents of the plant extracts were analyzed through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The inhibitory activities against α-amylase and α-glucosidase were assessed using established in vitro enzymatic assays, while the antioxidant properties were evaluated through DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and SOD-mimetic radical scavenging assays, employing acarbose as the reference standard. GC-MS result showed that aqueous extract of Ficus exasperata contained 29 phytochemicals, dominated by phenol, 2-methoxy- (19.66%), phytol (12.12%), estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17β-ol (8.14%), and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-6-ol-1-carboxylic acid (7.59%). The methanolic extract yielded 12 compounds, with phytol (28.83%), squalene (11.47%), hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (10.88%), and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (8.42%) as major constituents. Both extracts demonstrated concentration-dependent α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, with aqueous extract showing stronger α-amylase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 41.19 µg/mL) than the methanolic extract (IC₅₀ = 61.43 µg/mL), whereas methanolic extract exhibited a slightly greater α-glucosidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 47.68 µg/mL) compared to aqueous extract (IC₅₀ 47.78µg/mL). Antioxidant analysis revealed dose-responsive radical scavenging activity in both extracts, with the aqueous extract showing higher DPPH, ABTS and FRAP activity while methanolic extract exhibited greater H₂O₂ and SOD-like activities. The presence of phytol, squalene, phenolic derivatives, fatty acid esters, and terpenoids supports the pharmacological relevance of F. exasperata as a hypoglycemic and antioxidant agent. The findings validate its traditional use in diabetes management and highlight its potential for development into safer, plant‐based therapeutic formulations.