Phytochemical diversity of genus Ficus: A mini review

Abstract

Genus Ficus, belonging to family Moraceae, comprises more than 1,000 species of woody trees, shrubs, and vines. Ficus species, also known as fig trees or figs, are native throughout the tropics, with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. Ficus species are reported to possess an extensive diversity of traditional uses, including expectorants and mild laxatives, anthelmintic, hypoglycemic, and antihypertensive agents, as well as helping in the treatment of rheumatic disease, constipation, dysentery, and dyspepsia. Ficus species possess several biological activities viz., anti-hypertensive, hypoglycemic, neuroprotective, antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. Moreover, the leaves of Ficus carica were reported as potent antimicrobial and antioxidant owing to their richness in phenolics that can destroy active radicals and chelate prooxidant metal ions. Several phytochemicals were isolated and identified in Ficus, including phenolics, saponins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, sterols, and volatiles. This review aims to provide an overview of the major classes of phytoconstituents and the chemical composition of Ficus species.