**5. Biological activities**

On the basis of their phytochemical composition and antioxidant profile, *Ficus* species have been found to show several biological activities (**Table 4**). The studied species of *Ficus* plants were found to possess anticancer, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antitumor, antioxidant, anthelmintic, analgesic, antimicrobial activity, anti-parasitic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-ulcerogenic, mucoprotective, gastroprotective, antifungal, antiviral, antimalarial, and antiparasitic activities [43, 69]. However, the antibacterial activity has been found to be more common in different species of *Ficus*.


**145**

*Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Medicinal Significance of* Ficus

*Ficus polita* Vahl Whole Water Antiviral activity due to inhibition of

Leaves Water Antimalarial action against *Plasmodium falciparum*.

*Ficus lyrata* Leaves Water, ethanol Significant antibacterial activity [35] Leaves Water Activate against standard human

*Ficus Tsiela* Leaves Diethyl ether Anti-pneumonia activity [88]

*Ficus thonningii* Leaf Water Significant antimicrobial effect [90] *Ficus lutea* Leaves Acetone Act as potent inhibitor of α-amylase [68]

*Ficus sycomorus* L Leaves Water Significant antibacterial activity but no

**Activity References**

[85]

[86]

[87]

[35]

reverse transcriptase activity of HIV-1

pathogenic yeasts strains

Alcohol Antifungal and antibacterial activities [89]

Water Antimicrobial activities against *S. aureus* [65]

antifungal activity

**Extracting solvent**

*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].

tract infections and inflammatory conditions by different mechanisms [60].

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

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86562*

**part**

and fruits

bark

*Biological activities of extracts from various parts of Ficus species.*

*Ficus* **species Plant** 

*Ficus deltoidea* Leaves

*Ficus platyphylla* Stem

**Table 4.**

**6. Medicinal importance**

*Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Potential, and Medicinal Significance of* Ficus *DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86562*


#### **Table 4.**

*Modern Fruit Industry*

**5. Biological activities**

*Ficus* **species Plant** 

more common in different species of *Ficus*.

**Extracting solvent**

*Ficus racemosa* Whole Ethanol Anticancer activity by reduction of lipid

*Ficus religiosa* Fruit Water Antitumor activity due to blockage of

**part**

On the basis of their phytochemical composition and antioxidant profile, *Ficus* species have been found to show several biological activities (**Table 4**). The studied species of *Ficus* plants were found to possess anticancer, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, antitumor, antioxidant, anthelmintic, analgesic, antimicrobial activity, anti-parasitic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-ulcerogenic, mucoprotective, gastroprotective, antifungal, antiviral, antimalarial, and antiparasitic activities [43, 69]. However, the antibacterial activity has been found to be

**Activity References**

[77]

[4]

[4]

[13]

[78]

[79]

[4]

[79]

[80]

[81]

[82]

[83]

[23]

[84]

peroxidation, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and xanthine oxidase and by generation of

activities of ALT, AST and ALP

calcium uptake in pituitary cells

for *Haemonchus contortus* worms

level and triacylglycerol

reduction in lipid peroxidation, cholesterol

due to inhibition of malanodialdehyde

cytoprotective nature of constituents

in lipid peroxides with cytochrome p450

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity [82]

with lowering the superoxide dismutase

hydrogen peroxide

exaggerated activity

Whole Water Antimicrobial activity with inhibition zone against *B. subtilis*

Bark Methanol Anti-parasitic effect with 100% lethality

Fruit Water Anticancer and antibacterial activity but no antifungal activity

Whole Methanol Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity

formation

antisecretory

Fruit Phenol Anti ulcerogenic, antimutagenic and anti

complex inhibition

cancerogenic compounds

Bark Methanol Hepatoprotective activity by reducing the

Whole Ethanol Hypoglycemic activity by decreasing blood glucose level

Whole Water Antioxidant and antidiabetic activity

Whole Methanol Anthelmintic activity with 100% effectiveness

*Ficus benghalensis* Bark Water Antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity by

Roots Various polarity solvents

*Ficus hispida* Roots Methanol Antiulcerogenic activity with

*Ficus arnottiana* Leafs Methanol Mucoprotective activity and gastric

*Ficus carica* Leaves Methanol Hepatoprotective activity with decrease

*Ficus glomerata* Fruit Ethanol Gastroprotective effect [84]

**144**

*Biological activities of extracts from various parts of Ficus species.*
