A review of chemical constituents, traditional and modern pharmacology of fig (Ficus carica L.), a super fruit with medical astonishing characteristics
Loading...
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Instytut Uprawy Nawożenia i Gleboznawstwa – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy w Puławach
Abstract
Description
Fig (Ficus carica L.) belongs to Moraceae family, is
clearly of greatest importance as a source of human food and nutrition.
The fig’s fruits are a good natural source of nutrients, phytochemicals,
and minerals which may improve human health and
nutrition. All relevant papers in English language were collected.
The keywords of pharmacology, traditional medicine, phytochemistry,
fig and health promoting were searched in Google
Scholar, Scopus, Research Gate and PubMed. The most important
pharmacological characteristics of Ficus carica are anticancer,
antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiviral, antibacterial, antimutagene,
anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, antidiabetic, antipyretic,
reproductive, antiplatelet, endocrine, immunological, dermatological,
antispasmodic, hypolipidemic, nootropic, antidiarrheal,
nephro- and hepato-protective and anti-warts effects. Fruits have
anti-oxidative, anti-spasmodic and nephroactivity protective,
branches have both anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
Leaves have anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-diabetic,
helpato-protective, anti-angiogenic, immunomodulatory, antinematicidal
effect, inhibit of osteoclastogenesis, and are used in
the case of ischemia and reperfusion injuries. Latex has anti-cancer,
anti-bacterial, anti-angiogenic, antiviral and anthelmintic properties.
Moreover, fig’s stem bark has anti-diabetic characteristics. The
aim of this review was to go through some important studies on
chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of fig. The obtained
findings show potential of different parts of the fig plant as
an additive in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Keywords
pharmacology, traditional medicine, phytochemistry, fig, health promoting
Citation
Polish Journal of Agronomy
2021, 44, 22–29