**6. Medicinal importance**

*Ficus* species have been used as traditional medicines to cure diseases, such as, astringents carminatives, stomachic, vermicides, hypotensive, anthelmintic and anti-dysentery drugs [18]. *Ficus* species, such as, *Ficus racemosa*, *F. glomerata*, *F. glumosa*, *F. carica*, *F. religiosa* and *F. benghalensis* are known from ancient times as herbal medicines to treat diabetic disorders as regulating enzymatic activities, carbohydrates absorption rate, increasing insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, hepatic glycogen synthesis, peripheral glucose uptake and antioxidant status of body [19]. The extracts of these species also reduce oxidative stress by improving weight gain in diabetic male rats [20]. Aqueous bark extract of *F. benghalensis* have been found to be active in lowering the cholesterol level in hypercholesterolemic rats [14, 15]. Methanolic extract of *F. carica* leaves prevent elevation of lipid peroxide in rats by acting as hepatoprotective agent [21]. Methanolic extracts of *F. hispida* roots exhibit anti ulcerogenic activity due to higher concentration of flavonoids in roots. Methanolic leaf extract of *F. arnottiana* exhibits both mucoprotective as well as gastric antisecretory activities due to antioxidant constituents [22, 23].

Almost all of the *Ficus* species belonging to family *Moraceae* haven traditionally used as folk medicine to cure respiratory disorders and skin diseases. The roots of *Ficus* species are important to treat gout and gums diseases that have anthelmintic activity. Fruit of *Ficus* species, such as, *F. carica*, *F. hispida*, *F. microcarpa* and *F. sycomorus* has been found to be helpful improving digestion or treating vomiting. Dried powder of bark has importance to treat burns or Asthma [4]. *F. benjamina* exhibits antitumor activity or antibacterial activity but is unable to work on fungal disorders [13, 14]. Leaves of *F. religiosa* exhibit hypotensive activity and help in treating the gastrointestinal problems [9, 56, 57]. Bark of *F. religiosa* shows hypoglycemic activity and is used against gonorrhea, bleeding, paralysis, diarrhea, bone fracture, antiseptic, astringent and antidote [58, 59]. It has been also used against liver disorders, hemorrhoid, urinary tract infections and inflammatory conditions by different mechanisms [60].
