AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF FICUS CARICA (MORACEAE)

Dr. V. R. Ravikkumar Ph. D*, M. Pharm, Manigandan M., Karthik S., Ashwin A., Dhinesh P.

ABSTRACT

The common fig tree (Ficus carica) has long been associated with the treatment of various health problems such as inflammation, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders and infectious diseases. Ficus carica belongs to the family named Moraceae family. The present systematic review describes the many possible pharmacological activities of the common fig tree and the role of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids and coumarins for these activities. Ficus carica has emerged as a good source of traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as anemia, cancer, diabetes, leprosy, liver diseases, paralysis, skin diseases, and ulcers. It is a promising candidate in pharmaceutical biology for the development/ formulation of new drugs and future clinical uses. The main pharmacological properties of Ficus carica are strong antioxidant properties; antibacterial properties against some oral bacteria; anti-inflammatory properties; antidiabetic properties (lowering blood glucose); anticancer properties (anti mutagenic and anti-angiogenic); hepatoprotective properties; antipyretic properties and neuroprotective properties.

Keywords: Ficus carica, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial activity.