In-Vitro Evaluation of the Anticoagulant Activity of Methanolic Leaf Extract and Fractions of Ficus Benjamina On Blood

Abstract

Background: Thromboembolic disorders, including stroke, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and myocardial infarction, remain major contributors to global morbidity and mortality. Although currently available synthetic anticoagulants are effective in the prevention and treatment of these conditions, their clinical use is often limited by adverse effects, including bleeding complications, drug interactions, and the need for regular monitoring. These limitations have prompted increasing interest in the identification of safer and more effective anticoagulant agents from natural sources. Ficus benjamina, a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, is rich in bioactive phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, and triterpenoids, which have demonstrated diverse pharmacological activities. Aim: To investigate the in vitro anticoagulant potential of the methanolic leaf extract of Ficus benjamina using Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) assays. Methodology: Shade-dried leaves of Ficus benjamina were extracted with methanol using the Soxhlet extraction method. The methanolic extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and evaluated for in vitro anticoagulant activity using citrated goat plasma. Anticoagulant activity was assessed by measuring Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) at extract concentrations of 4,000, 8,000, 12,000, and 16,000 µg/mL. Heparin (100 IU/mL) was used as the positive control. Results: The methanolic leaf extract of Ficus benjamina yielded 10.31% (w/w) and was found to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, cardiac glycosides, quinones, resins, reducing sugars, and gums and mucilage. The extract exhibited significant in vitro anticoagulant activity by prolonging both Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) in a concentrationdependent manner. At the highest tested concentration (16,000 µg/mL), PT increased from 12.80 to 18.60 s, while aPTT increased from 31.50 to 51.80 s, indicating marked anticoagulant activity. Conclusion: The methanolic leaf extract of F. benjamina exhibited significant concentration-dependent in-vitro anticoagulant activity,