Monographic on Ficus sur Forssk (Moraceae): A Review on Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Background: Genus Ficus, belonging to the family Moraceae, comprises more than 1,000 species of woody trees, shrubs, and vines. Ficus sur is known as fig trees or figs and native throughout the tropics. Ficus sur is used in Ayurvedic medicine for many health conditions.

Aim: This review aims to provide an overview of the major classes of phytoconstituents, pharmacology, toxicoly and the chemical. This review was searched in Google Scholar, PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Sciencedomain and Scifinder to examine published scientific reports, ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological books on its phytochemical constituents and pharmacological properties.

Results: The plant contains various groups of biologically active compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponosides, glycosides which are responsible for the biologically activity. Its leaves and roots are used to cure leukoderma, leprosy, wounds, oedema, respiratory problems, diarrhoea, sexually transmitted illnesses, tuberculosis, anaemia, epilepsy, rickets, dysentery, male infertility, and gonorrhoea etc. It also has anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, lipid-lowering, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antidiuretic, antifalcaemic, antiviral, antioxidant, muscle relaxant and gastroprotective properties.

Conclusion: This study brought together important scientific data on F. sur which could be used to create innovative phytopharmaceutical products.