Anatomical characterization and evaluation of antioxidant activity of Ficus hispida L. f.

Ficus hispida L.f. (Moraceae) is widely distributed in Asian countries and has been traditionally used in folk medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory and digestive disorders. This study aimed to investigate the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the roots, stems, and leaves, and to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the fruit extract. Plant samples were collected in Phan Đình Phùng Ward, Thai Nguyen, Viet Nam. Morphological and anatomical analyses were conducted using standard botanical methods and observations under a light microscope. The results showed that Ficus hispida L.f. exhibits typical dicotyledonous characteristics, including well-developed secondary tissues, open collateral vascular bundles, abundant laticifers, and clearly differentiated palisade and spongy mesophyll in the leaf. The antioxidant activity of the ethanolic fruit extract of Ficus hispida L.f. was determined using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The extract demonstrated strong antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 20.36 μg/mL, compared with 12.71 μg/mL for vitamin C. These findings indicate the potential of Ficus hispida fruits as a natural source of antioxidants for pharmaceutical and functional food applications.